We are all familiar with this term. Let’s discuss the effects of sound pollution around us and its remedies. People in urban areas suffer the most from this issue compared to those in rural areas. This is because, in cities, there is a constant influx of sounds from factories, vehicles and so on.

There are also various music systems, public announcements, and fireworks. These sources of sound pollution lead to a range of long-term health issues. The World Health Organization has published several reports on this topic.

The Effects of Sound Pollution on Our Body

Many of us can’t identify the cause of various health problems. After spending a whole day at the office or going out somewhere, we often experience headaches when we get home. But we haven’t done anything physically taxing or have any apparent illness. Do you know that these headaches might be caused by the excessive noise you were exposed to throughout the day? Let’s take a look at some of the other effects of sound pollutions.

Hearing Problems

One of the five senses of the human body is hearing, which is extremely important for living. If it is impaired, daily life becomes so much difficult. Constant exposure to loud music or excessive noise can gradually lead to a decrease in hearing ability. According to researchers, sounds over 85DB are generally considered harmful.

Ringing in the Ears

People in urban areas frequently experience this problem. We often express annoyance, but various kinds of sounds gradually damage our ears. Scientists have found that there are approximately 16,000 cells in our ears. These cells transmit sound waves to the brain, creating the sensation of hearing. Continuous exposure to excessive noise can gradually destroy these cells. This is one of the major effects of noise pollution.

Difficulty Sleeping at Night

If you’ve been exposed to loud sounds throughout the day, you might struggle to sleep at night. Even if there is noise around you while you’re trying to sleep, it becomes very irritating. Over time, this leads to increased anxiety and affects blood pressure as well.

Reduced Brain Function Due to Noise Pollution

The various organs of our body are deeply interconnected and this includes the ears and brain. Research has shown that excessive noise can impair the functioning of the brain. Surveys have indicated that people living in noisy environments tend to have lower cognitive abilities compared to those living in quieter places.

Behavioral Changes Due to Noise Pollution

People tend to get more irritated when exposed to persistent noise. Continuous and disturbing sounds can ruin a person’s mood, leading to an increase in mental stress. As a result, many individuals might display bad behavior or lash out unnecessarily.

Issues with Reproduction

Though it may seem surprising, excessive noise pollution can affect reproductive health. Beside everyone can face significant challenges in their body and mind. In particular, pregnant women exposed to high levels of noise may experience a decrease in the weight of their unborn child. So, it’s important to try to keep your family safe from such noise exposure.

Remedies for Noise Pollution

We can control the environment within our homes but we can’t always control the others surroundings us. However, there are several precautions and measures we can take to reduce the impact of noise pollution. Let’s look at some of them.

Avoid Listening to Music at High Volumes with Headphones: If you regularly listen to music at high volumes, your hearing ability will inevitably decrease over time.

Use Earplugs: One effective way to combat noise pollution is to use earplugs. They protect your ears from excessive outside noise, which is particularly important for those who work outdoors or in noisy environments.

Choose a Quiet Location to Live: Try to live in a place where there is minimal noise pollution. While it’s hard to find such places in urban areas, you can look for quieter spots on the outskirts of the city. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy peaceful nights and weekends.

Limit Excessive Noise during Recreation: Many people enjoy making noise at stadiums or while listening to music. Entertainment is essential, but it’s important not to take it to extremes.

Install Soundproof Materials in Your Home: You can use various soundproof materials like foam panels to minimize external noise. These products, available on e-commerce websites, can be installed on windows or doors to block out external sounds completely.

Final Thoughts

Remember, once you lose your hearing, it may never fully return. So, it’s crucial to understand the effects of noise pollution and take steps to prevent it. If you want to enjoy music, keep the volume low. Also, make sure your entertainment activities don’t disturb others.

By taking these precautions, we can protect ourselves and those around us from the harmful effects of noise pollution.