The psychological and physical harm done by the jet noise on Whidbey Island is far greater than at any other military installation because the conditions producing noise annoyance are compounded by a variety of unique circumstances created by the Navy and it’s civilian neighbors.
Noise is routinely used as torture against enemy combatants during wartime. Even at low decibel levels that would not induce hearing loss, noise annoyance can have more impact than high decibel level noise. Barry Manilow and Sesame Street music were used as torture at Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib. An off duty police officer shot a man in a movie theater over a phone conversation. A heart condition that is worsened by noise annoyance is more serious than incremental ear damage.
Each person experiences noise annoyance differently. The same noise that could be perceived as enjoyable (“the sound of freedom”) by one person could be psychologically painful and cause stress-induced health issues for another.
Noise annoyance resulting in stress can come from 1) lack of control, 2) repetition, and 3) feelings toward the source of the noise.
Lack of Control
Attendance at a rock concert with a favorite group preforming is enjoyable. A recording of the same concert, played at full volume when you don’t want to hear it, can be stressful. Police respond to music complaints routinely.
Many people who bought under the jets knew they were there and feel in control of the noise environment in which they chose to live. They might welcome their presence because they are an awesome reminder of the power and heritage of the US Navy and/or they might see them as the reason they were able to buy a better home at a much lower price. Because they knew about the jets and the noise and see the benefits of living there, they feel they are in control.
Other buyers, who were unaware and received no disclosure, feel helpless. Soon after buying, they learned that all aspects of their lives are dictated by the Navy’s choice for when, how loud, and how low the planes fly. They feel control was denied when they were not told about the noise, and was made even worse by learning that telling them that it was required by law.
Of course most of these people wanted to regain control of their lives. In their efforts to do so, many complained and/or worked to make changes. They found themselves confronted with formidable obstacles that can be over-whelming, contributing even more to their stress.
Even the ticking of a clock at night can produce stress for someone who does not want to hear it. The repetition of the Growlers cycling over and over, hour after hour, day after day and year after year – combined with the knowledge it will go on forever – creates stress at a very high level. And when there is a break in the repetition producing a glimmer of hope that they are finished, it can be even more stressful when they start up again.
According to a Wikipedia article on noise annoyance:
Studies have shown that neighborhood noise (consisting of noise from neighboring apartments, as well as noise within one’s own apartment or home) can cause significant irritation and noise stress within people, due to the great deal of time people spend in their residences. This can result in an increased risk of depression and psychological disorders, migraines, and even emotional stress. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_from_noise
The notations above refer to studies relating the repetition of unwanted noise with serious health and psychological risks.
Feelings of Fear and Anger
Feelings toward the source of the noise affects stress levels. Both fear and anger produces a “fight or flight” sequence of physical changes that can damage health.  
1. Admiral’s Cove is, for all practical purposes, a crash zone. Plus, most of us know there have been a number of military plane crashes that have occurred just this year.
2. The low altitude of the jets is frightening. Crowds watching an airshow on July 6 in England (http://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk/VIDEO-Turkish-F16-Jet-flies-close-crowd/story-21335374-detail/story.html) were terrified as a Turkish F16 jet roared over at low altitude. Growler jets routinely fly over noise zone properties at little more than 200 feet higher, at noise levels that are probably louder. For any individual concerned about a crash, each time a plane circles over, their fear can contribute to a host of ailments.
3. People are fearful they may never be able to sell their property, and if they do, they’ll have to take a huge loss.
4. There are many health risks, some potentially fatal, especially for those already at risk with existing health problems.
5. Families with children who can’t afford to move may be the most fearful of all. Health risks for children are greater than for adults. They want to play outside, and they are less willing to wear ear protection. In many locations, they need at least the same protection worn by military personnel on the flight deck.
1. It staggers the imagination that civilians could be subjected to noise this loud from jets flying this low – in America – and no one has done anything about it. People are mad about their own pain, but even more, they are mad that people they love are suffering, too.
2. Realtors used a disclosure form that increased their sales and commissions and hurt buyers. Then, many defended it. Then, they changed it, but failed to provide the required map. Now, the legal disclosure will decrease the net worth of those same buyers because their home will sell for less.
3. Persecution has come from many sources: the Internet, signage, business boycotts, social ostracism, petitions, T-shirts, resolutions, letters to the editor, editorials, public taunts.
4. Politicians have taken their stand against noise zone complainers, or done nothing, to win votes, win influence, protect the economy, and raise the tax base.
5. People feel they have been lied to by the Navy: they said the Growlers are quieter, there was no need for EIS, they exceeded a 6000 yearly limit by June requiring a law suit to get the flights to stop, crash zones designations, DNL measurements, planes flying above 500 feet, etc.
It has been too easy for people who could do something to stand back and watch people in pain and say, “Well, it’s not my responsibility to fix that; there is no benefit to me.” It has been easy to discount the harmful effects of noise because cause and effect is difficult to prove. Good studies under similar circumstances at these ridiculous levels for both noise and annoyance would be impossible to find. DNL measurements are absurd.
So let’s take a common sense approach. The noise is literally louder than an air raid siren, screaming overhead, round after round. The frequency is dictated by national defense needs, which could easily and dramatically increase. Add to that the annoyance factors unique to Whidbey Island, and the total harm done by the noise is unlivable and must be stopped.
Hasn’t the limit been reached for what civilians should be expected to sacrifice to the military, given that our security would be in no danger if the OLF had never existed at all?
Most of these problems would be solved by just moving the OLF. There are no jobs there, and relief for those living in the Coupeville noise zones would be instant. Then, the suffering of others could begin to be addressed. Military installations and civilian populations can successfully coexist. All it takes is compassion, a resetting of priorities and values, and a commitment to do the right thing.