Did you know that exposure to loud noise can put your health at risk?
Generally, we know that loud sounds can damage your hearing. However, scientists found that too much noise can take your health at risk in other ways. So, how can this noise affect you and what can you do to protect yourself and your family?
According to studies, regular exposure to loud noise is associated with cardiovascular problems like hypertension. A study found that higher rates of high blood pressure and high cholesterol in people who were regularly exposed to loud sounds at work. That means 4 or more hours a day for several days in a week, they needed to shout to be heard by someone from a few feet away. The stress of working in a noisy environment causes increased heart rate and blood pressure.
Your rest is also affected by the noise in your environment. Of course, if you’re living in a noisy community, your sleep is disrupted. And sleep deprivation is linked with obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, and other health issues.
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The Risk to Your Children
Several studies show that children exposed to loud noise can have pooper cognitive abilities. Scientists found that children who lived on a lower and noisier floor close to the highway obtain a much lower score on reading tests than those who live in a quieter place.
Noise exposure is linked to poor reading comprehension, standardized test scores, and long-term memory.
Therefore, noise causes stress to children as it does to adults.
Protect Yourself and Your Family
You may not be able to move away from your noisy neighborhood or work in a more peaceful environment. However, you may consider the following to protect yourself and your family.
Wear ear protection
Wear hearing protectors like earplugs or earmuffs if you will be exposed to loud sounds like in concerts and sporting events. Do this to your kids, too.
Check your workplace and your home
Your employer should provide hearing protection if you are exposed to noise at work.
Your noisy neighbors and the barking dogs are something that’s out of your control.
Achieve noise reduction in your home with soundproof windows. Make sure to go to a registered window installer for safety and better quality service.
Limit your exposure to loud sounds in your home
Your equipment like lawn mowers and other power tools can reach a high noise level if you use them 15 to 60 minutes. Long-time exposure to this equipment could cause hearing damage.
Use Headphones
Listen not more than 60 percent of volume for not more than an hour. Let your kids practice this as according to a study, 12.5% of children and teens ages 6 to 19 already have hearing damage.