“Noise” How does it affect our health?




                  In our day to day life we get exposed to different sounds. It can be sound of a car passing by, or that of a microwave sound or birds chirping. These sounds range between different intensities and are safe to our ears. When these sounds become unpleasant we call it “Noise”. Noises that are too loud for a brief time or for a long time can cause damage to our ears.

Safe sound levels:
                   Our ears can hear sounds that range between 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Human ear can tolerate sounds below 120dB. Sounds above this intensity can cause damage to ears. Human’s speech ranges around 65 dB.  Sounds above 85 dB can cause permanent damage to ears in cases of prolonged exposure. Hence it is very important to protect ears from loud sounds and noises.

Effects of noise:

Noise exposure causes damage to our health in many ways,
  • Noise-induced hearing loss can be temporary or permanent.
  • Prolonged exposure to noise gradually reduces the hearing sensitivity by damaging the hair cells located in our inner ear which is irreversible and this condition is called ‘Noise Induced Hearing loss (NIHL)’.
  • Temporary hearing loss results from short-term exposures to noise, with normal hearing returning after period of rest.
  • Loud Sounds such as explosion, gunshots or loud crackers can rupture the eardrum and can also cause damage to the bones in middle ear.
  • Noise also causes ‘annoyance’. Besides hearing damage caused by loud sounds, noise can evoke extra-auditory effects, such as stress reactions. A barking dog or a dripping faucet or a heavy vehicles horn can trigger our body's reactions. Sustained stress reactions to noise can lead to sleep disruption, and diminished "quality of life."
  • Evidence suggests physical health risks (i.e., increased risks of cardiovascular diseases) when exposed to high levels of traffic noise.
  • During aging, along with other health issues people develop hearing loss gradually. When people get exposed to loud noises at work this process of losing hearing sensitivity starts early in life.

Places that we get exposed to noise:
  • Industries will have different levels of noise in different floors. Employees who are exposed to noises for longer durations might be susceptible to ‘Noise Induced Hearing Loss’.
  • Construction sites, where people are prone to noises like drilling, wielding, etc., also causes damage to hearing.
  • Rock concerts, loud speakers at meetings or functions, heavy traffic zones are the other places where we get exposed to loud noises.
  • Airports, railway tracks, highways or roads that have continuous flow of vehicles and other places emit high levels of noise. Hence residing or working close to or at these places can gradually results in hearing loss.

How to check if you are at risk of developing NIHL (Noise Induced Hearing loss)?
                  People working or residing at a places which houses high levels of noise, must have their hearing checked every 6 months. This helps in monitoring the hearing sensitivity and also presence of hearing loss. Hearing loss if identified early can help in preventing further damage.

Hearing Conservation program:
                  OSHA (Occupational safety and health Administration) in 2002 has designed ‘Hearing conservation program’ to protect workers with significant occupational noise exposures from hearing impairment even if they are subject to such noise exposures over their entire working lifetimes. Industries or workplaces with high levels of sound should have a half yearly and annual hearing check-ups to identify people who are susceptible to loud noises. This helps in changing the location of work to less noisy areas and also to reduce claims. Employees should be provided with ear protective devices and also should have rotation in their work to prevent continuous noise exposure.

Secure your hearing with these tips:
  • Wear ear plugs, or ear muffs to prevent exposure to noise at workplace.
  • Do not wear ear phones for prolonged periods while listening to music.
  • Avoid going to places with loud noises.
  •  Don’t stick foreign objects in your ears to clean. It might cause damage to ear canal and can also cause perforation of ear drum.
  • Consult an ENT specialist if you notice any ear pain or ear discharge. Don’t try self-medication.
  • Wear ear plugs while swimming especially during winters to prevent water borne infections. Clean and dry your ears with a dry cotton cloth post swimming.
  • Don’t honk unnecessarily as it causes annoyance and results in a clash with fellow riders.
         Follow the above tips and stay healthy. Bring awareness among fellow beings.

Author: Ms. Sai Harika Boppana, 
              BASLP,
              Consultant Speech Pathologist,
              Dhara Speech Therapy Clinic, Hosur.
              Date: 26/04/18

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