noise
...ow noise affects us and how can we protect ourselves from the harm it is doing. No matter what kind of noise it is, it still affects us in a similar way. It is scientifically proved that the noise level of 85 decibels can damage hearing if the noise continues for eight hours or more (Noise watch, web.) Loud noise wrecks hearing by damaging the delicate mechanisms of the inner ear that convert sound information into nerve signals. The most common thing for people who are often exposed to loud noise is tinnitus or ringing in the ears. Reports of tinnitus experienced by young people exposed to loud music have increased three times since the early 1980s. The report found that “6.8% of people not regularly exposed to loud music of 85 decibels or over suffer from tinnitus compared to 20% of people who are”.(Noise watch, web) Symptoms in some cases last only a few hours, but they are a sign that damage to hearing has occurred. However, many people lack this information or look at these facts not enough seriously. They believe that such pleasurable thing as listening to music cannot do anything wrong to their hearing. It is very wrong opinion. Research from Australia suggests children aged between 10 and 15 who listen to loud personal stereos for more than six hours a week may be damaging their hearing so badly they could suffer hearing problems 30 years early. They also say stereo noise is equivalent to listening to a pneumatic drill for eight hours a day (Noise watch, web). Even more, it is true that in some clubs, cinemas and restaurants noise level reaches 100 or more decibels. It became a threat for outgoing people, because long exposure to such noise may seriously damage the ear. A recent survey showed that eight out of ten young club goers were unconcerned about potential damage to their hearing. This is despite the fact that 62% of regular clubbers and 72% of regular concertgoers report problems with their hearing. Concerts and nightclubs produce sounds that can register up to 120 decibels, louder than a pneumatic drill.(Clearinghouse, web) In the workplace employees are required to wear hearing protection when levels exceed 85 decibels. . However, noise affects not only our hearing but also our behaviour. Mostly people who experience high amount of noise (for example, those who live near train stations) “suffer elevated rates of stress-related disorders; high blood pressure, anxiety, and feeling of helplessness” (Myers,166). Depression, anxiety, loss of hearing, and other effects on behaviour are only few influences that noises do on people. Web site in UK publishes the research results, which say: children brought in noisy areas have poorer reading skills than those bought in quieter areas. Obviously, these different vibratio...