Monitoring and control of noise is seen as a major activity of industrialised countries. Large proportions of the population of some countries are exposed to levels which are considered unsatisfactory, yet the prognosis is not good in the forseeable future. Monitoring strategy is examined in terms of prediction methods, selection of indices, instrumentation and standards and developments in the assessment of the major sources of urban noise are also discussed. Noise control is reviewed from the point of view of moves to harmonise legislation by international organisations and goes on to consider the role which educational programmes may play in reducing noise levels.