ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Exposure to loud noise may lead to a range of health conditions, including sensorineural hearing loss, tension, anxiety, neurosis, sleep disorders, tinnitus, arterial hypertension, irregular pulse, and a decline in memory and attention, according to medical experts.
Sensorineural (sen-suh-ree-NUR-uhl) hearing loss, also known as SNHL, occurs because of damage to inner ear.
It can happen suddenly due to an injury, illness, or exposure to loud noise, like an explosion. Alternatively, SNHL can develop gradually over time as part of the aging process.
Otolaryngologist and audiology specialists explain that the human body reacts negatively to loud sounds and noise due to an inherent protective mechanism that signals danger in the environment.
They said: “This response serves a vital function. For instance, the loudness of car or train horns at crossings is essential for public safety and heightened awareness.”
Noise has become increasingly common in urban settings, however, its harmful effects remain. These include reduced cognitive performance, difficulty processing new information, fatigue, headaches and irritability.
Industrial/ construction noise
Individuals working in environment associated with industrial or construction noise tend to experience adverse health changes more rapidly than others.
The experts highlighted that different regulations govern acceptable noise levels and exposure duration.
As a general rule, they said, noise levels should not exceed 80 decibels over an eight-hour working day in most industrial settings. However, permissible levels may vary depending on the nature of the activity and work intensity, typically ranging between 50 and 80 decibels.
They explained that limits exist for maximum noise exposure, noting that intermittent noise should not exceed 110 decibels, while peak impulse noise should remain below 125 decibels.
