How does noise pollution affect health?

noise pollution, avoid noise, noisy, nuisance, ann - Noise pollution is very annoying and distract a person from sleep.
Philippines
November 15, 2009 5:25am CST
Noise pollution is a form of distraction that is produced by unbearably loud sounds. These sounds are usually created by vehicles, factories as well as by people who like to listen to loud music. Noise affect one's health by damaging the person hearing organs. moreover too much noise prevents a person from sleeping soundly at night. If one live for examples in an airport or near a transit train railroads, the noises created by those vehicles disturb a person sleep. As he wakes up in the morning, his disposition is adversely affected and he may not be feeling well as he proceed too his work. How about you, What kind of noise pollution are frequently heard in your areas? Describe the kinds of noise pollution in your areas and what you do to avoid it or at least lessen it effect on your health? Kindly shares your thoughts. thanks
8 people like this
35 responses
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
16 Nov 09
I don't think that noise can be a kind of pollution. What I understand about pollution is that those carbon dioxide that spitted smoke produce by vehicles and factories that really damage our ozone layers... I know noise but their is no carbon dioxide mix into it. Because that is pure sound and no element of any chemical reaction... Noise will affect our hearing systems that something reflect on our health hearing condition...
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
17 Nov 09
[b]In English, at least, the term "pollution" has been stretched to cover a plethora of things which inflict harm, so it's not just air pollution which concerns people now. We say that cities which burn too many bright lights are causing "light pollution," for example, because one, people's circadian rhythms are disrupted, & as a matter of fact, so are plants,' which because of the light never get to "shut down" at night. Yes, they grow very large, but they also die sooner, & they may be affected in other ways we don't even know, yet. Two, astronomers & other star-gazers have to place their telescopes further & further away from well-populated areas, now, due to "light pollution." This is the main reason the famous "Hubble Telescope" was put up in space--to avoid this problem! I'll never forget the first time I slept under the skies atop the mountains of Colorado. The stars were so bright they cast shadows! I hadn't seen the full glory of the Milky Way since my childhood days in rural Louisiana! So you see, these days the dictionaries accept other forms of pollution. And by the way, CO2 is not a pollutant--it's plant food! Maggiepie "WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE?"[/b]
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Dec 09
"Pollutes - to make ceremonial or morally impure" is one meaning from Merriam-Webster Dictionary. This meaning has nothing to do with carbon dioxide. It just means to take away the purity of something. Overly loud noise takes away the purity of a language, music, or a thousand other sounds and destroys things with sound - such as one's hearing.
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
18 Nov 09
I believe that light will damage some parts of the ozone layer but sound I don't think if this is a kind of pollution. I don't see anything to connect this believe that sound is a kind of pollution. Because if you analyze the facts that sound is not produce any chemical elements or form of elements. Sound is sound and we cannot categories it as solid or liquid...
16 Nov 09
I am sensitive to noise pollution which produced by people,as I think this noise pollution can avoid by people if they take care.When I am a postgraduate student,I stay in the lab everyday,sometimes I should deal with dates,and sometimes I should write paper,I need a quiet circumstance.Actually,I did not get such a quiet circumstance,some one in the lab always made a lot of noise,she liked to watched movies,the noise came from her lap computer was very loudly so that I can work.We awoked her many times,but she stills make so loudly noise.We gave up awoking her at last.I think this is a selflish behivor. So if we are in public place,we must take care that what we do will not affect others.
2 people like this
• Philippines
29 Nov 09
hi honeylily, That right attitude to maintain and i do wonder that some people seem insensitive to their neighbors that they make a lot of noises without too much thinking that they disturb the quiet pace of time of other people who are resting. as some have varying working shifts and need a lot of sleep whether day or night and necessary to give them due respect for quite some time. thanks.
@kelly10 (678)
16 Nov 09
I have had nosiy neighbours, they still live next to us but thankfully have discoverd how to work the volumme control on their stereo. They would play music most nights until 4am the next morning. I have trouble sleeping to begin with, so it made things a lot more difficult. I found that I was getting stressed with it all. As soon as I heard the music I would slowly start getting wound up as I knew it would be going on for hours. As it was loud enough to stop me from sleeping even when tired I was getting over tired, which in turn would make me stressed. This meant I would feel extreamly tired the following day and affected me at work. I would also feel very weak and upset, and I knew it was affecting my health. It really was one of the worst times for me. It lead to arguments with my boyfriend as I was so tired all the time and it was making me really upset.
2 people like this
• Philippines
29 Nov 09
hi kelly, well, noise could not be avoided most of the times as we have no control over other people action especially if they are so insensitive that they never mind if their neighbor get disturb by their noise and pretend they are not noticeable. though, you could not make a complain as it is their own home unless they make their home soundproof it would not bother their neighbor. Too much noise do really have an effect on the moods though it just a matter of adjustment and hope you could sleep now as your neighbor become more aware of their activity and slow down. thanks.
@checkmail (2039)
• India
16 Nov 09
Hello neelianoscet this is checkmail an the noise pollution has an adverse efect on our health.Due to loud sounds, irritating sound, high level sound waves, etc causes failure in hearing.Thus it endangers the hearing ability of a person.Actually a person is able to hear something at a certain health level, and if he cannot hear anymore than automatically his health is affected.So noise pollution is just detorisation of health especially ears.Even may cause loss of hearing, etc.Many a times its the celebration in our area when there is high sound of musics, crakers, etc and also sometimes vechiles.Well have minimised the use of such things individually but still sometimes it happens.
@mAniqUin (51)
• Philippines
15 Nov 09
yaayy!! i listen to post hardcore musics.. and im having trouble sleeping.. and i dont avoid it.. i also stay a studio when ever we have band practice .. does it affect my health? and my sleeping problem
2 people like this
• Philippines
29 Nov 09
hi maniquin, well, that is you know how to deal with it that still good as it is require in your work and need to get use to it. Though,it is only a matter of adjustment on your part which help you to see loud sounds with a purpose and not as a noise. thanks.
• Philippines
16 Nov 09
After my wedding, I was forced to move to my husband's place which is in front of an elementary school and is a block away from the public market. The overwhelming noise from motorcycles, kids and marketers caused so much stress to me in the beginning. I could not sleep well at night. The worst thing, I noticed that I now have hearing problem. I could not easily understand what the other people are saying in normal tone, I would normally ask them to repeat what they have said. Also, my family and friends would normally ask me why am I shouting. I don't usually recognize that I speak louder than usual.
2 people like this
• Philippines
29 Nov 09
hi soledad, well, that only mean your have hearing problems as at first you have not notice it and eventually you would know the damage of noise pollution in your ears when those things you observe slightly manifested by you. though, it is a good things to consult an ear specialist as he could help you to heal your hearing problems. as i also have a cousin it really look pity though she reply to us most of the times with different interpretation from the sounds produce from the way we talk to her is not hear by her and she reply with wrong answer most of the times. it sounds funny but it really affect good communication and lead to confusion if not corrected in advance. thanks.
@balasri (26537)
• India
15 Nov 09
Exposure to noise can damage the ear. Hearing impairment due to noise pollution can either be temporary or permanent. When the sound level crosses the 70dB mark, it becomes noise for the ear. Noise levels above 80 decibels produce damaging effects to the ear. When ear is exposed to extreme loud noise (above 100 decibels) for a considerable period of time, it can cause irreparable damage and lead to permanent hearing loss. A noisy environment can be a source of heart related problems. Studies have shown that high intensity sound cause a dramatic rise in blood pressure as noise levels constrict the arteries, disrupting the blood flow. The heart rate also increase. These sudden abnormal changes in the blood increase the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases in the long run. Noise can interrupt a good night's sleep, and when this occurs, the person feels extremely annoyed and uncomfortable. People deprived of uninterrupted sleep show a sharp dip in their energy levels which often results into extreme fatigue. This can considerably decrease a person's ability to work efficiently. A noisy environment that produces more than 50-60 decibels simply does not allow 2 people to communicate properly. Interpreting the speech of a second person becomes quite difficult and may lead to misunderstandings. Exposure to loud sound can lead to elevated stress levels as well as stimulate violent behavior. A constant noise in the vicinity can also trigger headaches, make people tense and anxious, and disturb emotional balance.
2 people like this
• Philippines
24 Nov 09
Those things you mention and including those adverse effect of noise pollution in the health of the people are really true most of the times. Citing those studied being carried it it really show that sound in too much quantity degrades life that it bring a lot of stress which greatly affect health. Thus, ordinary sound in small quantity does not have a terrible effects compare to the loud sounds is pretty an anomaly as the sources could be trace but still the noise control administrator have no control over it as the noise could either be brought by technology which ease the influx of congestion but have side effects if the person is constantly expose. like those who work and live within the vicinity of the areas where their are a lot of noises the lifestyles of those residents may be likely more stressful compare to those who live in a quiet residential villages.thanks.
1 person likes this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
17 Nov 09
[b]Of course it does. That's why it's illegal to make noise over a certain number of decibels in many cities! It raises stress levels, which can even kill people (think of heart attacks), & even make people so irritable they fight & argue without realizing why. I lived near an airport one year, & the sonic booms were intolerable. My schoolwork suffered, I was always in a fight with someone...it was hard to sleep.... Just a wretched place to exist. I was never so glad to move away, & it took our family a long time to recover! Then of course, it can harm your ears to hear music set too loud,c or anything too loud, really. I wouldn't have thought of categorizing it under "pollution," but it does make sense, at that! Shhhh! Maggiepie "WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE?"[/b]
1 person likes this
• Philippines
5 Dec 09
hi maggiepie, Noise overloading is a very terrible experience as when sleep is disturb it would likely reflect to the attitude of the person who frequently experience loud noise and it could affect the way she/he relate with other people. As when one could not sleep such as the things you mention result in a lot of stress which is very true. Thus, anything that is extreme could hurt the body system involving the attitude of the person unless one live in a soundproof building the noises outside the homes would not likely to pass through.
2 people like this
• United States
16 Nov 09
I live in the country and the most noise I hear is God given in the storms we have, so doing anything about it is sort of out of our hands. However, where we lived in Florida there was a noise ordinance. If cars were blasting loud music, the driver didn't get the radio removed - he/she got the whole car impounded and the driver had to go to court to retrieve it. Three times and the car was sent to the junk yard or auction. That was one rule I thoroughly agreed with. Not once in my life have I thought overly loud music was good for anyone or sounded better than having it played at normal levels. It's bad for your health because it sets off migraines, your hearing because you literally go deaf from it and it's atrocious to destroy good music by making it totally unable to understand.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
5 Dec 09
hi mysticmaggie, Well, those are noises which are part of nature which one have no control over it. Those things you mention are also part of the study about the problems brought by noise pollution that every one should be aware of as it is something that is not a simple problems it affects the body system particularly the hearing system. That very nice as your place have noise control policy wherein in my places the people need to be patience most of the times as they really have no control over the noise. Although, noise appear as disruption in the peace and quiet of one home. One need to adjust to her environment keeping a life control by noise then have to think of the other way to lessen the noise if possible to have a soundproof window so that the outside noise outside the home is greatly minimize.
@haiershen (1080)
• China
18 Nov 09
there is not much noise in my area,i lived in my company hostel,and working in our office.when we go to the producation room,we will hear much noise which was issued by the machines.it is very noise,my heard would be run out of my body and the ear could not bear.the noise is definitely effect health if stay long,very lucky,our office is very far away from the producation room.good luck and have a nice day!
1 person likes this
• Philippines
5 Dec 09
hi haiershen, The noise you hear is definitely normal as it is a sounds of being productive which symbolizing working is in progress which still alright as it has a valid reasons. though, extreme noises beyond the average decibels limit is dangerous with an effects on the body system and disposition of the hearer. thanks.
1 person likes this
@nijolechu (1842)
• Canada
16 Nov 09
The only kind of noise pollution we get around here would have to be from the trains that occasionally travel through the area at night. It can wake me from my sleep and make me restless. Sometimes there is an emergency ambulance that drives by. It takes me a while to fall back to sleep after that stuff.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
30 Nov 09
hi nijolechu, I experience to live in a beside a railways and it is really noisy especially when the train honks then pass along one could felt the tremors. I think noise pollution could not be avoided unless your home is built with sound proof glasses you could not hardly hear those noises. thanks for sharing.
@mrfdg1972 (3237)
• Philippines
15 Nov 09
NOw you will think i am a stalker of some kind, but its not true, i"m yah follower! you got me hypnotized with the winkling eyes you got there. Now, seriously speaking, i live most of my time in a farm, so whenever i get to sleep in our house in the city, which is beside the highway, i sleep in the backroom, w/c is farther from the roadside so i only get a few noises from the roaring vehicles. sometimes it helps when you play some nice music with the headset but it is really impossible to get away from the noise, so it is best to get used to it. Just ignore them.
2 people like this
• Philippines
16 Nov 09
lol...well, it is good to see you again here in my discussion... Noise is unavoidable occurrences as a signs of activity as it is not good to things to live in a quiet places as it symbolizes loneliness and could almost lead to boredom. In such a nice way noise do sometimes entertain at an average decibels that it become obnoxious loud sounds becomes threat to the health when it is set an at extreme strength that it becomes not tolerable. You're right music could do well to cover up noises as it signifies life and a stress relievers too. have a nice day!
• Philippines
16 Nov 09
In our place there is an ongoing construction and sometimes it extends until 12 midnight. I really hate it because i cannot sleep and i usually have headaches and worst migraine. The building they are constructing is not yet finished and i think it will take 2 to 3 months more. It is so annoying.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
5 Dec 09
hi triplejazz, well, i already experience it too when my neighbor install a building fence around his lot and the sounds of the clunking of tools also disturb my sleep. In your case it really takes a lot of patience as the construction is near at your sites and you could not sleep well during the day but in the night you could do so.
• Philippines
16 Nov 09
Since I belong to the academe, what kind of noise pollution are frequently heard in my area. Your guest is good as mind. Loud voices of students, shouting, laughing so loud and etc. This kind of noise pollution is a big problem today. Sometimes students they are out of control. As a teacher, sometimes I asked myself, were the hell they come from. But knowingly most of them came from exclusive schools for girls and boys. They are wild , hard-headed people. What can we do about it? We talk to this young people, if they have problems,. And most of them they really have problems in their family. Sometimes you just understand them why they are like that. They will tell you their sad story about their family, friends and etc. Since we teachers, we are the second parents of these young people, we see to it that we instill right values in them. And most of them listen. And we are happy if we see great transformation on them especially the character. And the most important is if you will see them successful in their chosen career. It's not always money that comes in your work, especially in the academe. In the academe nobody gets rich, but the experiences counts a lot especially when you see this young people successful. Thank You.
• Philippines
5 Dec 09
hi andrea, that is really the normal scenario in schools be in public or private schools. As most teenagers have a family problems which includes their academic/curricular activities which they often blame to the loe of attention from their parents that they feel neglected. Although, myself is a products of private schools. i could say from my own experience that my classmates are spoiled brat as they are mostly rich and capable of spending money on material things like buying the latest gadgets in town and a fashion trend setters most of the times that they fail to look simple as everyone is boasting their newest collection which is likely the opposite of me as i am the shy, silent and yet scholarly type of students who ever like to befriend those boastful classmates as they are even have rebel ideas and too much fun is not good at all. Thus, spending time with friends could makes one happy by too much time spent with them some priorities are neglected. Therefore, it is a must that spending time with friends are control as too much could lead to abuses.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
15 Nov 09
It isn't very noisy where we live right now but sometimes there is alot of traffic back here though. It used to be loud when the construction workers were working back here and it drove me nuts daily. Noise affects how I feel every day.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
29 Nov 09
hi steph, that good for you as you never experience to hear loud noise as in my places they seem uncontrollable especially if their are parties going on with loud karaoke singing , gambling and noise from loud talkers they could annoy anyone who hear it. well, construction projects gives a lot of noise even in my place i do experience it when neighbors have to renovate their homes. thanks.
@ronnyb (6113)
• Jamaica
16 Nov 09
I think that noise pollution affects people in two ways ,it may affect your ability to hear and lead to deafness and hearing problems .The other way that noise pollution may affect someone is the inability to sleep .Many persons need to get at least eight hours to sleep otherwise they are not able to function well the next morning and in addition may lead to migraine and headaches.In my immediate area there is not much noise pollution .The most frequent would be blaring speakers and houses under construction
1 person likes this
• Philippines
29 Nov 09
hi ronnyb, yup, i do notice it too as most of the times the sound being produce is too much that us human could no longer afford to hear it as they really get the sounds up to the inner ears that makes some feel painful that it could no longer be tolerated. All the things you true have some basis though, as from other study they also mention the same things. those are some of the side effects of noise pollution something that exceeds the normal decibel levels is dangerous and do damage most of the times. thanks.
@happy6162 (3001)
• United States
16 Nov 09
Loud noise does affect a person hearing. Too much can hurt someone hearing. I live by railroad tracks and the whistle they blow is loud but it does not keep me up at night. I know sometime if I am by a loud machine my ears seem like they are ringing a long time after I am away from the machine.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
29 Nov 09
hi happy, yup, and most of the times the minimum noise exceeds and it becomes too dangerous to human health aside from the hearing problems their are many side effects too. thus, sounds still tolerable as long as it keep under the average and not exceeding the decibel levels. i do experience to live with my brother before when he rent an apartment and i get so annoy with those whistles from train as they pass by the grounds is shaking as it is their an earthquakes. The next time he rent an apartment the first things to do is to investigate the place if it is a quiet and friendly neighborhood or else I would not approve his choices. aside from it he is working on a call center by night shift and i pity him every time he sleep in daytime as the surrounding is noisy unless the apartment have sound proof it hardly not could not affect his sleeping pattern. thanks.
@getbrowser (1708)
• China
15 Nov 09
airport noise - Compared with other noise poppution, airplanes are especially bothersome to residents who can never predict when the planes will be flying above and most certainly have no control over flight paths.
Nowadays, I have suffered from the airport noise because I am living next to one airport. In the past time, water and air pollution were two major common environmental problems, but now, so is noise pollution as our surroundings grow noisier. Compared with other noise poppution, airplanes are especially bothersome to residents who can never predict when the planes will be flying above and most certainly have no control over flight paths. What's worse, it can cause hearing impairment, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and other serious problems. Facing the airport noise, I have no choice but to suffer the agony of its noise. Of course, I will make a move to a quiet place if I have enough money.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
29 Nov 09
hi getbrowser, That is really annoying to live near an airport and i could imagine the way you live is not quite good as it is noisy. though, some who experience living near a noisy places tend to develop sense of adaptability and just make an adjustment to their sleeping time. though, some when tired could sleep even their is noise as they are already feel tired and would eventually sleep. well, those things side effects of noise pollution which you mention are all true which the results of too much exposure to noise. thanks.
@rhayde29 (126)
• Philippines
16 Nov 09
ow my head aches everytime i heared very loud noise.. ahhhhhhhhh..and it sucks...here in the philippines i hate the buses espesially along the main road in Manila,,,the buses beep so loud..ahhh my head aches
1 person likes this
• Philippines
29 Nov 09
hi rhayde, same with me and i feel pain to my ears with throbbing headaches it is very annoying though. yup, buses honking is so disturbing even the honking of vars and trains. those noise is a total nuisance it drives any person moody most of the times as it add some worries unable to enjoy quiet and peaceful surrounding need to be the foremost priority most of the times. thanks..
• China
15 Nov 09
I agree with you. My English is very bad.I don't know if I can make myself understood in English. I live in a room with four classmates.Moreover noise prevents me from sleeping,for example,the music from my classmate's computer,the sound from the movie.they were talking about something when I was working. I think they have the same trouble.Because the room is too small.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
15 Nov 09
hi weijiang, I understand you and no need to worry as i get your point with the messages you like to convey. Those things you mention are all good samples of noise that is produced not from natures. They are the human noises when they get excited get to talk loudly to enjoy more the conversation. And the music is only good if it soothes the ears and makes you listen to it enjoying each beat, while playing music too loudly makes a sensitive person ears feel pain as they are not get used in hearing loud sounds. thanks.