Sounds of engines, horns, works, high music… It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t get annoyed to spend a lot of time in a noisy place. In addition to the discomfort, excessive noise can cause health damage beyond hearing – which suffers from problems such as hearing loss and tinnitus.
“When these sound waves enter the ears, they vibrate the eardrum, as well as very small bones and the ear cells, which triggers electrical signs that the brain plays as sound,” explains otolaryngologist Nathália Prudencio, master in otoneurology from the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) and specialist in dizziness and tinnitus. “But when this sound is extremely high or frequent, it can harm the human body.”
The physiological effects of excess noise are generally induced by two different systems: that of the adrenal-hypophysium-adrenal (HHA) hypothareal-hypothaneic axis. The first is activated by a chain reaction that leads to adrenaline and norepinephrine excretion. HHA axis hyperactivity is associated with chronic stress when the body secretes the cortisol hormone.
In the short term, a lot of noise causes irritability, difficulties of concentration, fatigue, increased heartbeat and difficulty sleeping. “In the long run, there is an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, infarction and stroke, psychological disorders, anxiety and depression, metabolic problems and even cognitive impairment due to chronic stress,” says otorhinolaryngologist Augusto Abrahao of Israeli Hospital Albert Einstein.
Some studies correlate noise pollution even to gastrointestinal changes, such as indigestion, gastroduodenal ulcer and constipation. Sleep is another aspect harmed by the noise. “Night noise can fragment the sleep structure, inducing awakening, creating difficulties to fall asleep and changing to a lighter and less restorative sleep,” says Prudencio.
Chronic noise disturbance by noise is associated with a variety of negative health results, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and worsens in cognitive function.
Daily life
All this discomfort caused day and night has harmed many people and drawing the attention of experts and authorities. THE World Health Organization (WHO) esteem That more than 1 billion young people and adults between 12 and 35 years of age are at risk of hearing loss due to chronic exposure to noise, including those from overuse of headphones.
“But urban sounds can also be dangerous. The exposure limit considered safe for sounds of 85 decibels is eight hours a day. For 110 decibel sounds, the orientation is not exceeding 30 minutes and for sounds of 120 decibels, only 15 minutes,” explains the otoneurologist.
To get an idea, 85 decibels is approximately the same level of powder vacuum cleaners, electric tools and blenders. As a practical rule, if you need to raise your voice to talk to someone else a meter away, the sound is excessive.
“The impact of noise on health is still underestimated, but more and more studies show that noise pollution is a public health problem. Creating noise reduction policies and making the population aware of their risks are essential steps to minimize damage caused by excess sound,” says Abrahao.
Important care
Ear protectors can help those who work in noisy services, such as factories or construction. They help block sound waves before they penetrate the inner ear, dramatically reducing the impact of extreme sounds. Avoiding listening or watching television with too high volume are also good practices.
Physical barriers, such as acoustic insulation indoors, and pauses in noisy environments also help. “Today, smart watches and cell phones make the level of exposure decibels and send alerts to their users,” says the Einstein doctor.
Invest in relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing, and regular physical activity, quality sleep and contact with quieter environments and in the midst of nature can reduce the negative effects of the noise on health.
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This content was originally published in losses of noise pollution go beyond hearing loss; Understand on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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