Undesirable or bothersome sounds are classified as noise. When consistent noises begin to cause negative emotional and physical effects on humans or animals, they are known as noise pollution. Understanding what causes noise pollution can help you protect yourself and your hearing.
What Sounds Are Classified as Noise
Common sources of noise pollution include:
- Construction sites
- Large events
- Traffic
- Airports
- Machinery
Dangers of Noise Pollution
In addition to damaging your ears, noise pollution can disrupt your sleep, increase your stress and lead to cognitive impairment. It can also disrupt the ecosystem of plants and animals in the area.
Protect Yourself from Noise Pollution
Noise pollution does not need to permanently damage your hearing. You can protect yourself from noise pollution by following some simple steps.
Increase Your Awareness
Pay attention to where noise is coming from. If you pass by a construction site on your way to work, try changing up your route to avoid the unnecessary noise.
Utilize Hearing Protection
If you are exposed to noise pollution at work, per OSHA regulations, you should be provided with appropriate hearing protection. If you feel like the protection is not sufficient, talk to your representative in human resources.
Give Your Ears a Break
When you are continually exposed to dangerously loud sounds, your ears are at a greater risk of damage from other sounds. Try giving your ears a break by turning the volume down or listening to music through a speaker rather than your earbuds.
Purchase Noise-Canceling Headphones
If you fly a lot or are exposed to noise pollution often, consider investing in a pair of noise-canceling headphones. Not only will they prevent the dangerously loud sounds from coming into contact with your ears, they are able to drown out the background so you can hear your music clearly without having to turn it up to an unsafe volume.
Reducing Noise Pollution
Noise pollution is handled at the state and local level. Most communities have noise ordinances, laying out the rules and regulations surrounding the acceptable level of noise.
To file a complaint, contact your local government office in Northwestern Iowa, Southeastern Minnesota or Western South Dakota. To learn more about how to protect your hearing, contact the experts at Hearing Health Centers today.