Noise pollution is the second most harmful environmental stressor in Europe. Portugal is
the fourth European country most affected by noise pollution, whereby 23.0% of the population is
affected. This article aims to analyze the effects of exposure to low-frequency noise pollution, emitted
by power poles and power lines, on the population’s well-being, based on a study of “exposed” and
“unexposed” individuals in two predominantly urban areas in north-western Portugal. To develop
the research, we used sound level (n = 62) and sound recording measurements, as well as adapted
audiometric test performance (n = 14) and surveys conducted with the resident population (n = 200).
The sound levels were measured (frequency range between 10 to 160 Hz) and compared with
a criterion curve developed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Aairs (DEFRA).
The sound recorded was performed 5 m away from the source (400 kV power pole). Surveys were
carried out with the “exposed” and “unexposed” populations, and adapted audiometric tests were
performed to complement the analysis and to determine the threshold of audibility of “exposed”
and “unexposed” volunteers. The “exposed” area has higher sound levels and, consequently, more
problems with well-being and health than the “unexposed” population. The audiometric tests
also revealed that the “exposed” population appears to be less sensitive to low frequencies than
the “unexposed” population.