We’re all aware that we live in a noisy world, and it’s only getting louder. Lots of jobs are loud, from construction to farming to factory work. Recreational noises can be loud, too, like your favorite bar on Friday night or the sports game or rock concert you attended last weekend.
You might not realize, though, that these aren’t the only hazards to your hearing health. Noise in your neighborhood could affect your and your family’s hearing.
Sounds permeate our entire lives. The finely-tuned structures of your ear can pick up on everything, from the birds out the window and the cars rushing by to the clattering of coffee cups in the kitchen or even the clicking computer keys at your desk.
These sounds turn into noise when many sounds merge, and we call it noise pollution when there are so many sounds that the noise never stops and damages your hearing.
Noise Pollution in Your Neighborhood
Passing by a busy school or noisy construction site on your way to work might not be too bothersome. You’re in and out of the noise quite quickly, and it’s not likely to damage your hearing or turn into a cause for concern. However, if this noise is in your neighborhood and you’re around it all the time, not only does it disrupt the peace of your home, it could soon become a genuine health concern.
One of the most common causes of neighborhood noise pollution is traffic noise. Suppose your neighborhood is near a highway or has a few busy streets. In that case, you’ll likely experience a lot of noise pollution from regular traffic, loud vehicles like motorbikes, and honking that will last all day and sometimes even all night.
Living next door to the local police or fire station might seem like the best place as your home might be the safest on the block, but your ears will suffer. Living close to dogs can damage your hearing health, especially if they bark frequently.
Neighborhood noise pollution can come from home equipment such as power tools, lawnmowers, leaf blowers, or even vacuum cleaners.
The Effects of Noise Pollution
If exposed to constant noise pollution, you’ll soon see its negative impact on your health. You’re more likely to experience insomnia, heart issues, and ear pain. Noise Pollution can easily lead to noise-induced hearing loss, where exposure to loud noises over long periods begins to chip away at your hearing, leaving you straining to hear.
How to Protect Your Hearing
We know you don’t want to live with noise pollution in your home, so here are a few tips to protect you and your family.
- The first thing you could do is build a fence around your yard. This will help block the sounds, as well as provide privacy. Planting many trees or shrubs will also help deaden the sounds and keep your yard quiet.
- A fountain or water feature could be a great addition to the yard since it will create white noise to block outside sounds and provide a peaceful atmosphere in your yard and home.
- Inside the house, keep appliances quiet by padding them with foam, and use carpet in several rooms to absorb sounds.
During the day, it can be hard to regulate noise levels. Everyone is out and about, walking their dogs, mowing their lawn, or driving home from work. Quiet hours are in effect through the night, so noise pollution should not be permitted during nighttime hours. However, if your neighborhood has a lot of noise pollution at night, you might want to talk to your local government about what can be done.
If you are concerned you may be experiencing a noise-induced hearing loss, whether from your noisy neighborhood, job, or hobby, don’t settle for a life without the sounds you love. Visit us for a hearing assessment and to discuss your hearing needs. We’ll work with you to find the perfect hearing device, whatever your level of hearing loss, so you can get back to easy conversations and hear all the sounds around you.