What are some Additional Health Issues caused by Excessive Exposure to Noise?

Studies have shown that exposure to extreme noises can damage your health in more than one way.

How can Loud Environments Affect Your Hearing Health and Well-being?

Frequent exposure to powerful noises has been linked to cardiovascular issues, like high blood pressure. One study discovered higher rates of hypertension and high cholesterol from individuals who were routinely susceptible to loud noises in the workplace. This indicated that for at least four hours each day, several days per week, these employees had to speak louder than normal to be heard by someone who stood a few feet away.  

Researchers came to the conclusion that 14 percent of cases involving hypertension and 9 percent of cases involving high cholesterol were likely caused by the stress from working in a loud environment.   

The body reacts to stress in different ways, which include an increase in heart rate, and an increase in blood pressure.  

Feeling irritated at the sound of loud noise in your environment might affect your health. A study from 2018 discovered that people who were bothered by the sound of a rumbling car, construction vehicle engines, and horns were at a higher risk of atrial fibrillation - which is an abnormal heartbeat that could cause blood clots and stroke.

Loud noises in your surroundings may also disrupt your sleeping patterns.

Poor sleeping habits have been associated with diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and other health problems.

Passing the time in noisy environments may lead to unhealthy diet choices.

The Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, scientists determined that patrons in restaurants and grocery stores purchased healthier foods when noise levels were low, and purchased unhealthy foods when noise levels were higher. Other researchers found that louder music may lead to greater alcohol consumption at bars and restaurants.

Noise Exposure to Children

Children may notably be sensitive to loud noises. Studies have shown that there is a connection between increased exposure to noise and weaker cognitive abilities in children.

In a classic study from 1978, researchers analyzed children who resided in a middle-income housing project that was built over a bustling New York City highway. They discovered that children who lived on lower, noisier floors that were adjacent to the highway had worse reading test scores than children who resided on higher, quieter floors.

In 2018, the World Health Organization analyzed 34 studies that associated exposure to noise with low reading comprehension, standardized test results, and long-term memory.
In addition to noise as a distraction, just like in adults, scientists believe that noise may cause stress in children.

Preserve Your Hearing Health

Limit how much noise you are exposed to. Being around noise levels exceeding 85 decibels (dBA), for over eight hours on a daily basis might damage your hearing.  When noises are louder, less time is taken to cause harm.

A noise level reaching 100 dBA (the near equivalent of a car horn blasting from a few feet away, or a sporting event) can result in damaged hearing after 15 minutes.

If you cannot leave a noisy environment by moving to a quieter neighborhood or environment take these into consideration:

• Use earmuffs or earplugs to protect your, and your children’s, hearing in loud surroundings such as concerts, sports arenas, movie theaters, and during fireworks displays. Gyms, or spin cycling classes, tend to have music blasted at the highest levels. You could ask the instructor to lower the music’s volume, or use earplugs.

 

• If you are regularly exposed to loud or extended noises at work, you should be given hearing protection from your employer. They should also try to remove or replace loud equipment, keep loud noises at a distance from employees, or limit the amount of time they are exposed to hazardous noises.

 

• When you are at home, you should limit your exposure to loud noises. This includes heavy duty power equipment. Your lawn mower, snowblower, and power tools can damage your hearing after using them for 15 minutes to half an hour. Use earmuffs or earplugs when using these types of equipment.

 

• Be careful with headphone usage. It is recommended that you do not listen at over 60 percent of the maximum volume for more than 60 minutes each day. Children and teenagers should also follow this rule. It has been reported by the CDC that 12.5 percent of children and teens ranging between the ages of 6 to 19 already have some level of hearing loss.

If you, or a loved one, suffer from hearing loss contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aids for a wide range of hearing loss.

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