How Noise Increases Stress Levels

Noise can be more stressful and damaging than you think

Definition of noise pollution

Noise pollution is defined as noise that is intrusive in nature, which disturbs, derails, and distracts. Whereas noise pollution is associated primarily with large cities, the suburban towns are not too far behind when it comes to the use of lawn mowers and the ever-increasing home construction. Even residential premises and business areas can impact health and work productivity adversely.

Factors causing noise pollution

There are many sources of noise pollution. However, the ones having the worst effects are listed below:

• Aircraft
  Aircraft including choppers have an adverse impact on the auditory system. Even people who reside in close proximity to airports are at risk. Abnormal levels of noise can increase the blood pressure, cause heart disease, and ultimately chronic stress.
• Automobiles
  Honking from vehicles can lead to increased levels of noise. The ones most affected are those that live on near busy streets with high levels of traffic. Noise emanating from automobiles can be extremely frustrating and damaging to the health. Incidentally, traffic noise is the single largest contributor to noise pollution.
• Noise at the Workplace
  Workplace noise is not just restricted to construction sites or noisy assembly lines. Other industries are equally contributing to noise pollution. With an increase in the number of people, offices are feeling the pinch. Now it is quite common to hear of office noise as a source of noise pollution. Colleagues who are talkative by nature or who create disturbances in the form of noise have the ability to decrease the productivity of surrounding colleagues. Most often, these are done unconsciously.
• Residential noise
  Most people cannot conceive of their homes as being ‘noise pollutant’. However, common noise such as the loud volume of television can be a trigger of stress. Research has proven that kids from homes that are noisier are more likely to have impaired cognitive growth, delayed language development, an increase in anxiety levels, and weak immunity.

Ill effects of Noise Pollution

A lot of research has gone into the study of the effects of noise on healthy living. The results were startling to show the seriousness of noise pollution in causing a great damage to health.

• Loss of productivity
  We do not need research to prove that noise is disturbing. However, a study was carried out on children who were affected by noise from the airport. The study showed that the ability to read and the long-term memory was impaired to a significant degree. According to a study by the Cornell University, those whose work environments were noisy were found to be less motivated toward work.
• Poor Health
  Poor health if the most adverse effect of noise pollution. Increased levels of noise can serve as a trigger to the stress response of the body. This can increase the secretion of stress hormones and can eventually lead to chronic stress. Therefore, noise pollution has been directly linked to heart ailment, increased blood pressure, and strokes. Noise pollution can also lead to musculoskeletal problems. A study conducted by the Cornell University on work place noise found that those working in environments that are noisy are not likely to make modifications to their workplace for comfort. Noise pollution can have adverse impacts on the quality of sleep. Sleep cycles too go for a toss. Since chronic stress can lower the body’s immunity, noise pollution is a huge threat to the health.

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