1.1 Background
Noise is undesirable or unwanted sound. It can be occupational noise experienced at workplace or environmental noise produced from all non-work places like road, rail, road, aircraft, neighborhoods etc (Kim et al., 2012). The environmental quality of many cities globally is gradually decreasing due to rapid urbanization and growth in number of vehicles and ever expanding road networks, resulting in increased intrusive traffic noise levels. As regards the physical environment, noise is one of the most widespread sources of environmental stress in everyday living. Noise is becoming an increasingly omnipresent, yet unnoticed form of pollution even in developed countries. Vehicle noise include following source (Balasunmugham et al., 2013):
Engine
Exhaust system
Tires interacting with road
Horns
Aerodynamic friction and by interaction between vehicles
Sound of cooling fans, gearbox, and brakes.
According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, only 45 % sentence intelligibility is possible for noise levels of 70 dB(A). In Western Europe traffic related noise accounts for loss of
…show more content…
Most of the pollutants that effect our environment are chemical in nature whereas noise is a physical in nature. Noise is not easily recognized as sensitivity of human ear gets automatically adjusted to ambient noise levels and as a result slow increase in ambient noise levels go unnoticed, thereby causing the damage silently (Sampath et al., 2004). A connection between traffic noise exposure in the residential setting and detrimental health effects suggested by epidemiological evidences that has been accumulated over decades. The term subjective health refers how individual evaluate their own health status (Brink, 2011). Excessive noise can cause following effects to human health (Evans and Hygge,
The unit used to measure the intensity of sound is called the decibel(dB). Sounds that measure up to 75dB are considered to be in the "safe zone". Constant exposure to to sound at these levels are very unlikely to cause any lasting damage to long term hearing. The sound of regular volume conversation measures at around 60dB and the sound of a running dishwasher measures at roughly 75dB. Sounds around the 85dB level are considered a moderate risk to hearing. Exposure at these levels for extened periods of time may lead to some form of damage causing NIHL. Sounds at these levels include heavy traffic and crowded areas at 85dB, active subway stations at 95dB and listening to an mp3 player with ear buds at maximum volume at 105dB in which listening for just 15 minutes can cause permanent damage. Sound at 120dB and above are in the "danger zone". This level of sound is to be avoided at all cost as exposure even for a short pulse will lead to immediate permanent damage. This level includes the sound of ambulance sirens at 120dB, a jet taking off at 140dB and gunshots at 165 dB and above. (Rabinowitz,
Thorne, P. R., Ameratunga, S. N., Stewart, J., Reid, N., Williams, W., Purdy, S. C., ... & Wallaart, J. (2008). Epidemiology of noise-induced hearing loss in New Zealand. NZ Med J, 121.
Although level noise do not reach OSHA level (occupational safety & health administration) that causes noise-induced hearing loss, the paediatric nurse in the unit are exposed to continuous moderate noise levels that may causing impairment (Berens, 2008). In addition, these noise exposures may result in abnormalities in the stress response as well as in sleep patterns. (Berens, 2008). If working long shifts weekly and being exposed to noise it will have an effect on hearing loss. The loss of hearing depends on how loud the sound is and the length the person is exposed to sound. Exposure to high level of noise and sound can cause deafness. During or after being exposed to loud noise can leave a ringing sound in the ear. Noise will interfere with communication which could lead to misunderstanding of orders. This could lead to a higher risk of accidents when communication is
There is noise at home as everyone gets ready for work. The office hums as everyone focuses on their tasks at hand. All of this noise can make it difficult to concentrate on your responsibilities.
2. Health Issues: noise pollution in working areas such as offices, construction sites, bars and even in our homes can influence psychological health. Studies show that aggressive behavior, stress, and hypertension can be caused by noises.
The Russian harlequin in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness expresses a common habit amongst sailors to smoke when he exclaims to Marlow, “Smoke? Where’s a sailor that does not smoke?” (132), correspondingly, in today’s world it is common for daily surroundings to include loud, obnoxious sounds that can potentially damage ones hearing permanently. This type of hearing disability is frequently referred to as N.I.H.L (Noise-Induced Hearing Loss). “N.I.H.L can be caused by a one-time exposure to an intense ‘impulse’ sound such as an explosion, or by continuous exposure to loud sounds over an extended period of time, such as noise generated in a woodworking shop” (“Noise-Indu...
Harmful noises are everywhere. “The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that approximately 30 million Americans are exposed to daily noise levels that will likely lead to hearing loss” (Daniel, 2007, p. 226). Excessive noise exposure can lead to permanent hearing loss, tinnitus, poor communication abilities, and reduced self-esteem; however, it can be prevented in many situations. This paper will discuss how much noise exposure can occur before it becomes hazardous, the long-term effects of noise exposure at an early age, and the primary reasons why preventable socioacousis occurs.
Noise (Noise induced hearing loss NIHL): Another occupational hazard that contributes to workplace injury is excessive noise. Excessive noise may have adverse effects, which include, high blood pressure, stress, reduced performance and noise induced hearing loss. While there are other factors contributing to NIHL, the shortage of prevention is a high contributor. Engineering controls is one way of reducing noise at its source (Nelson et al. 20...
Taken together, we suggest that it is important to expand the irrelevant sound effect to examine its applications on different ecological important tasks and environmental settings. Adopting an ecological approach to study the irrelevant sound effect in different applied setting, such as studying with music and office noise abatement, will advance our understanding on the practical importance of the irrelevant sound effect.
National Institute of Health. (2011). National Institute on Deafness and other communication disorders: Improving the lives of people who have communication disorders. National Institute on
Vehicles are the main source of air pollution. The following pollutants together are associated with emission are: Carbon monoxide co), Nitrogen Dioxide no2), Sulfur dioxide so2) and particulate matter (PM). Separately, any of these pollutants are understood or assumed to cause adverse health effects. Increases in air pollution are associated with increases in heart attacks, deteriorating respiratory function and increased premature births rates. Information on air quality In the era of serious concerns about the quality of health outcome, more fo...
The noise of Aircrafts was historically a major environmental issue for the airline. It is still high on the agenda of public concern. Noise disturbance has a variety of difficult issues to assess because it is open for self- reactions. Its impact is not one permanently on the actual environment, but it can have many effects on the people living in the area of the airport, including: interference in c...
In children speech perception ability play significant role for development of speech and language skill, whereas in adult this process is already developed. Therefore it is interesting to see what effect of noise level on speech perception ability occurs in both the groups. Amount of effect it cause on Children who need to undergo noisy situations in daily life and school setup.
vociferous noises are offensive and punishable by law. The law is called noise pollution. The
Zhao, F., & Bardsley, B. (2014). Real-ear acoustical characteristics of impulse sound generated by golf drivers and the estimated risk to hearing: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open, 4(1), e003517-e003517.