The world is getting noisier. With a bigger population, and more densely populated cities, silence could soon be a thing of the past. However, there’s a big difference between background noise and noise pollution, with most people able to cope with the former. Noise pollution often comes from industry, transport such as trains and planes, but it can also come from neighbors, animals, and many other sources. Not only can this be annoying, it can also cause health issues. Here are some of the ways that noise pollution can affect our lives.
Sleep deprivation
Noise at night can stop people from sleeping, and sleep deprivation can cause a huge number of medical issues. As well as causing stress and exhaustion, a lack of sleep can weaken the immune system and leave people vulnerable to illnesses. If there’s a lot of noise in your home, you may want to set up noise monitoring at night to see how high the levels are. If they reach the level of noise pollution, then complaints can be lodged with the relevant authorities.
Hearing loss
Those who work in noisy environments, day after day, could find that they start to suffer hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss can be temporary or permanent, and long term conditions such as tinnitus can have a negative impact on peoples’ lives. That’s why it’s important to use ‘SERS’ to check for high noise levels. It’s easy for companies to protect their employees’ hearing with the use of noise cancelling headphones, and by minimizing their exposure to industrial noise.
Stress
Living in a noisy environment can lead to stress, and that can lead to high-blood pressure and other negative effects. Studies have shown that those who were exposed to constant noise in just a single period of eight hours had increased blood pressure, and the longer-term effects could lead to permanent damage. Getting enough sleep, wearing noise cancelling headphones during noisy periods, and moving to a quieter area could help those stressed by noise.
Animals
It’s not just humans who can be affected by noise. Animals, especially wildlife, can be sensitive to additional noises. If new roads, rail links, or developments are being built, then planners will need to carry out a wildlife assessment to check that local animals won’t be affected by the extra noise.
While those who live in cities will expect a certain level of noise, poor planning can lead to residents suffering from the effects of noise pollution. Not only is it annoying, but it can also cause physical issues, from stress to hearing loss. That’s why it’s so important that noise levels are closely monitored, and that excess noise is managed properly. By taking a few preventative measures, the effects on people and animals can be minimised by businesses and transport providers. Whether it’s building homes in a different area, or using soundproofing materials, there are many ways the quality of life can be improved for those living in areas with noise pollution.
