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Introduction: Environmental noise is recognized by the World Health Organization as a significant public health concern, negatively impacting human health and well-being. To address and better understand these effects, the "De Oorzaak" citizen science project was initiated in Flanders, Belgium. Objective: This study aims to assess the effects of environmental noise on health, stress, and sleep among the Flemish population. It also seeks to explore the relationship between sound sensitivity and sociodemographic factors. Material and methods: A comprehensive population-level questionnaire was administered to thousands of Flemish residents over a one-month period. This survey included questions on quality of life, health status, stress levels, sleep quality, and detailed sociodemographic information. Additionally, a subset of 100 participants from Antwerp underwent an extensive audiological test battery. This included self-report questionnaires, audiometry, and a newly developed diagnostic test for hyperacusis utilizing natural sounds. Participants were categorized into two groups based on their scores from the Hyperacusis Questionnaire (HQ): with or without hyperacusis. Results: Data collection is ongoing, and preliminary analysis focuses on the correlation between various measures of sound sensitivity and other demographic variables. Conclusions: The "De Oorzaak" project leverages citizen science to generate a rich dataset that will enhance our understanding of the public health implications of environmental noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]