How too much noise can throw us off balance

Today's world is full of noises of all kinds. We perceive them with our ears and can process information from them. which noise as noise are felt is very different from person to person.

But the fact is that too much Noise make us humans sick can. Why is that and what you do something about it we can show you below.

What do you mean by noise anyway?

From a physical point of view, noises of all kinds are vibrations that propagate in the air. These sound vibrations are picked up by our ears and the useful ones from them in our brain information processed. Which noises are perceived as unpleasant is different for each person.

How the sound of a noise is perceived by people depends, on the one hand, on the level of the sound pressure, measured in decibels (dB), and on the other hand from the frequency (number of vibrations per second) of the sound. At higher frequencies, we humans perceive an even higher pitched sound.

That includes human hearing only a part of the possible frequency ranges of the sound. Therefore, some frequencies cannot be perceived by us humans.

• Human hearing includes Frequencies between approx. 20 - 20.000 Hertz.
• With increasing age, hearing ability and the audible frequency range decrease.
• Sound waves above 16.000 hertz are called Ultrasonic, which most people don't hear or hardly hear. They are used, for example, by bats for orientation.
• Frequencies below 16 Hertz are considered infrasound designated. He is not audible to humans. For example, blue whales use infrasound to communicate.

Sound is referred to as noise when it negative impact on human well-being Has. There is therefore no precise limit as to when sound is considered noise. The negative impact on well-being is very subjective.

Permanent and very strong influence of noise can not only disturb our well-being and our performance, but also make sick. Noise can be divided into three categories:

• Continuous noise, such as the sound of a machine running
• Intermittent noise, such as an alarm clock ringing
• Impulse noise, such as the sound of a pistol shot.

This makes noise with our body

According to one, most people find the most annoying Study by the Federal Environment Agency the noise of road traffic. It becomes clear that not only the volume, but also the type of noise plays a role in perception.

A running car engine is perceived as much more disturbing than the sound of waves breaking on the sea. Although both can be equally loud. Noise is therefore considered one of the major stressors of our time, since we are almost constantly at the mercy of noise.

Exposure to noise degrades the autonomic nervous system and hormonal balance activated. These physical reactions have been anchored in humans since primeval times, since noises could always mean announcing a danger.

The physical reaction to the effects of noise changes the blood pressure, the heart rate and it will be increased stress hormones poured out. Even a noise level of 25 decibels can lead to impaired concentration or sleep disturbances.

Permanent noise pollution of more than 65 dB leads to changes in metabolismwhereby a significant health risk consists. Too much and above all permanent noise can also result in the following health impairments:

• Cardiovascular diseases
• Hypertension
• Changes in blood values ​​(blood sugar, blood fats and clotting factors)
• hardening of the arteries
• Heart attack
• Chronic sleep disorders.

From a sound pressure level of approx. 85 dB can also damage hearing due to the effects of noise. In addition to the impairment or loss of hearing, permanent tinnitus can also be the result of constant exposure to noise.

Easily explained lead to different noise effects different consequences for human hearing:

• Brief sounds, such as a loud bang, can cause temporary hearing loss or hearing impairment. As a rule, hearing recovers after a certain period of time.
• Prolonged exposure to noise or very loud noises above 120 dB can cause long-term and irreversible damage to human hearing.

Especially in the Our ears are very sensitive at night. This is to ensure that the body can also react to alarm signals during sleep, which can save lives in an emergency.

However, if you are permanently exposed to a noise level of over 40 dB at night (corresponds to a quiet street with little traffic), you can through the permanent release of stress hormones there are also health consequences.

You can do this against noise

To reduce noise pollution, three types of action be taken:

1. The reduction of noise generation directly at the noise source
2. Shielding from noise
3. The passive noise protection

For example, if you live on a busy street, you can do little about it yourself generation of noise do. Here, stricter rules on the part of the legislature, for example on tires with lower rolling noise, the setting up of speed limits or the installation of noise-reducing asphalt, would be sensible measures.

For the shielding from noise In the case mentioned, you can, for example, set up and promote a citizens' initiative to erect a noise barrier. But you usually only have that yourself passive noise protection in the hand. These include, for example, better house insulation or the installation of soundproof windows. If you at work excessive noise exposure are exposed, you should definitely check with your employer about the initiation of Measures to reduce noise pollution speak.

On the one hand, the employer is obliged to limit values ​​in the workplace to protect employees. These vary depending on the industry and type of work. On the other hand, permanent and strong noise pollution leads to damage to health, which not only harm you personally, but also the employer in the event of a longer absence due to illness.

Conclusion on noise and its consequences

Sounds are always perceived as noise when they have a negative impact on our well-being. Permanent exposure to noise can serious health consequences have for those affected.

Anyone who is permanently exposed to noise should therefore take appropriate noise protection measures take, or commission this from the competent authority (e.g. employer, landlord or similar) in order to protect health.

By the way: permanent noise pollution in a rented apartment can represent a defect which, if not eliminated, may result in a rent reduction justifies.