Noise Pollution: How Does It Affect Your Health?

Noise has become embedded in people’s daily lives so much that some find it even more unsettling when they’re in a very quiet place. Think about it; if you’ve been living in the city most of your life, you’ll probably find it uncomfortable going to a small town where the loudest sounds you’ll hear are most likely chirping birds.

This situation that most people find themselves in can be dangerous, however. Noise pollution is not something you should be accustomed to. Noise pollution is not only annoying, but it’s actually detrimental to your health, too.

So, if you can minimise the noise in your home, do so for the health of your family. If your HVAC is too loud, for instance, try installing an air source heat pump instead because it’s not as loud. Read on to know the effects of noise pollution on your health.

It can lead to heart disease

When a noise in the background becomes too loud, it often becomes an irritation. But most people think that the only thing that that noise will affect is the ears.

The truth, however, is that since it has become an irritant, noise also affects your blood pressure. It’s because when you get annoyed, your blood pressure goes up and your heartbeat gets disrupted. Doctors refer to this condition as atrial fibrillation. When you experience this, you’ll be prone to blood clots, stroke, and heart failure.

Also, noise can affect the amount of cortisol that’s released into your body. Cortisol is the stress hormone that the body releases when you’re experiencing a traumatic event. Too much cortisol can lead to health risks.

You see, the brain is designed to monitor certain sounds that could be perceived as threats. For example, if you hear a gunshot in the distance, you’ll automatically try to find shelter. This defence mechanism built into your body is what keeps you safe. If you’re often exposed to noises that your brain deems as threats, then you also subject yourself to an unhealthy amount of cortisol.

It can disrupt the learning abilities of children

Children who are often exposed to noise pollution have trouble focusing on important stimuli, like when someone is talking to them. When this happens, it’s harder for kids to learn because they’re constantly being distracted by the noise around them.

It can lead to poor cognition

On top of being distracted by the noise, people who are often subjected to this kind of pollution can also experience a deterioration of their brain functions. According to scientists, noise pollution can damage the nerve endings in the body that are responsible for transmitting sound signals to your brain from your ears.

When this happens, there can be inflammation in your brain, which can then lead to poor cognition and deterioration of brain functions. Scientists are studying this matter further to see if noise pollution is one of the major factors in the development of dementia.

These are some of the harmful effects of noise pollution on people’s health. If you wish to avoid these conditions, try to shield yourself from excessive noise. Invest in noise-cancelling headphones and quieter appliances for your home.