How Noise Pollution Affects Your Health
Noise is sometimes a usual part of a busy day and daily activities. Indeed, there may be times you may not be able to do much about the noise around you, such as at a musical concert, during rush hour, or at a construction site. The best you can do in such instances is to protect your ears from exposure to noise pollution. However, this is possible only if you know you will be exposed to hours of noise. According to research, 50% of people are constantly exposed to unhealthy decibels, making it essential to know the dangers to your health so you can adequately protect yourself.
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1. Hearing loss
Noise-induced hearing loss is a major issue experienced by many. Data reveals that people as young as 6 to 19 years old live with some form of hearing disorder because of prolonged unhealthy exposure to loud sounds. Among adults, data indicates that 25 million people wear hearing aids because of irreversible noise-induced damage to the inner ear. However, few people take the necessary precautions to protect their hearing. Suppose you evaluate your work or everyday routines and suspect your auditory functions are impaired. In that case, you can run an online search such as ‘hearing services near me’ to find the best solutions as early as possible. A facility close to you will make checking your ear damage risks easier.
2. Heart problems
It is quite surprising that noise pollution can harm your heart. The connection stems from the increased heart rate, breathing, and excess production of the stress hormone cortisol. These physiological changes take a toll on the cardiovascular system, and you may be dealing with associated medical problems before you know it. When the human body is exposed to long periods of noise pollution, the heart responds to external stimuli by beating faster. This response is due to the triggering of the sympathetic nervous system, which immediately sends the body into a fight or flight mode. In other words, your body interprets noise pollution as an external threat. Therefore, protecting yourself and your family from noise pollution’s dangers is best. The sooner you take action, the better it will be for your well-being.
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3. Interrupted sleep patterns
Sleeping in noisy environments can be challenging for many. Naturally, the human body requires a quiet place to sleep soundly since the more sounds, the fewer the brain’s chances to quiet down. Research reveals that the more sounds you hear, the higher the chances of the inner ear sending signals to the brain for interpretation. Therefore, when you should be sleeping, your body is busily responding to needless external stimuli, resulting in fatigue, reduced cognitive function, and interrupted sleep. When this persists, it may even trigger mental health issues and increase stress levels. People react differently to persistent exposure to noise pollution, but the health implications remain the same.
Keeping the above effects in mind will help you to be more conscious of your surroundings and take proactive steps to protect your hearing.
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