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H E A L T H
Pump Down
The Volume
Shhhhh!
by IVY YANG
Sounds are essential for human survival and communication. Delightful sounds induce
enjoyment and enhance one’s quality of life. Conversely, noise is one of the byproducts
of modernization and has a negative impact upon our state of health. It is up to us to
find ways to reduce its presence in our environment.
Noise control is very
important for the
maintenance of good
general health.
It would appear that there is no escape from noise. It has achieved a
seemingly ubiquitous presence – at home, the workplace, while engaging
in leisurely activities, throughout the day, while we sleep, and when we
travel. Although the human body is wired to filter and
interpret acoustical information, it is not prepared to deflect
the incessant attack of noise. Noise can be detrimental to
our health in several aspects. It is associated with impairing
hearing, disturbing sleep patterns, affecting cardiovascular
function, and the development of fetuses. It also triggers
widespread psychosocial effects that have been overlooked
by the public, including noise annoyance, reduced performance and
increased aggressive behavior.
When short-term sound intensity or peak impulse noise levels are very
high, there is acute mechanical damage to hair cells of the cochlea in the
inner ear. In addition to affecting auditory health, noise also causes changes
to the circulatory system (blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, and
vasoconstriction) as well as stress hormone levels (epinephrine,
norepinephrine, and corticosteroids). Hence, noise control is very important
for the maintenance of good general health.
Noise is a psychosocial stressor that activates the sympathetic nervous
and endocrine systems. Generally, we expect extreme levels of noise to
be present in such settings as battlefields and factories. But it is also found
when least expected – during leisure activities, which may involve relatively
low environmental sound levels or levels that are considered normal while
engaged in everyday activities, such as playing with toys or firecrackers,
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listening to loud music, mowing lawns, or traveling at a high rate of speed
on the highway with the windows down. In fact, transportation noise
from road and air traffic is the predominant type of noise in our society.
Noise raises the level of stress hormones and increases higher mean blood
pressure readings. As the majority of the population lives in urban areas
and is exposed to various types of noise, efforts to set noise standards
through environmental and health policies must consider all aspects of
health: physical, psychological and public. For instance, the fact that a
large number of young adults are hearing impaired commands that schools
should improve their “noise hygiene” condition. Scientific studies find that
high levels of classroom noise affect cognitive performance among
students, so reducing environmental noise on campuses and providing
noise awareness education can improve students’ health and academic
performance.
As individuals, we can take easy and effective steps to minimize noise
within our own environments. If we live in a noisy metropolitan area or
near an airport, we can install dual-pane windows, weather stripping,
and install additional insulation to mute noise entering our homes. An
economical way to reduce the impact of community noise is to get a
“sound spa” that reproduces sounds ranging from waterfalls to bubbling
brooks. Such sounds distract us from uncontrollable environmental noise.
However, keep in mind that constant background sounds that are emitted
at high decibel levels may be potential noise stressors. Turning off the TV
when not being watched and turning down radios while we are driving
are healthful, energy saving and mind soothing. If we encounter significant
levels of noise at work, we can suggest to management that it be reduced
to improve health and employee productivity. If they are unresponsive
you may want to consider changing jobs. This may sound like a drastic
move but it is an option to consider for the sake of your health.
Noise activates the body’s stress response and increases our risk of
developing illnesses. We can counteract these uninvited consequences
by the techniques mentioned above. Shhhh… Keep it down to stay healthy!