5 Common Negative Effects of Noise Pollution

When you think of what could cause injuries on the job, something as trivial as noise may not sit at the top of your list. However, noise damage is a very real concern in many workplaces, and you should be aware of the negative effects of noise pollution. Once you know its dangers, you can strategize how to adequately protect yourself. Here we list a few things that may occur as a result of noise exposure.

1. Hearing Loss

The most obvious danger is, naturally, hearing loss. OSHA standards suggest that a significant risk of damage can occur once noise levels exceed 85 decibels. Frequent noise exposure can cause the hair cells inside the cochlea to wear down and eventually die, permanently damaging your hearing. People affected may experience tinnitus, which presents itself as a ringing in the ears.

2. Irritability

Over time, consistent loud noises can cause you to experience substantial anxiety and irritability. Misophonia is a term for a condition in which certain sounds emotionally trigger someone, causing them stress that could’ve been avoided had they taken the correct precautions.

3. Loss of Concentration

Noise exposure can easily break your concentration and, as a result, cause a decrease in productivity. It can also result in workers becoming distracted and missing warning signs, potentially leading to injury. This is especially dangerous in industrial environments, where heavy machinery is known to produce loud noises and where following strict safety precautions is vital.

4. Sleep Disturbance

What many people don’t know is that many sources of sound can disturb the quality of their sleep. Traffic, music, or noises from animals can interfere with your REM cycles, which greatly affects your quality of life when you’re awake. You may experience irritability, distraction, and intense fatigue as a result of noise affecting your rest.

5. Cardiovascular Issues

Particularly loud noises can cause your blood pressure to spike, and they can even increase your risk of experiencing a heart attack. One of the reasons for this is that considerable stress—which can be caused by noise—can trigger a heart attack.

Protecting Yourself from Noise Pollution

Knowing the negative effects of noise pollution is hopefully enough to make you want to adequately protect yourself. Your environment will help determine the measures you’ll need to take. An industrial location, for example, requires an employer to protect their employees by providing them with the appropriate headgear and by outfitting machines with custom silencers.

If you find that your sleep is disturbed, you may check to ensure your walls are properly insulated or use white noise, such as a fan, while you sleep. No matter the situation, it’s important that you’re aware of the dangers of noise pollution and that you protect yourself accordingly.

Last, you should take the time to buy a home repair manual so that you can make minor repairs, and also, it is a good idea to have several basic tools so that you can fix things on your own.

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