When you were a kid you most likely had no clue that turning up the volume on your music could lead to health issues. You simply enjoyed the music.
As you grew, you probably indulged in nights out at loud concerts or the movies. It might even be common for you to have experienced loud noise at work. Long term health concerns were the furthest thing from your mind.
You more likely know differently today. Children as young as 12 can have lasting noise-induced hearing loss. But sound is so powerful it can even be used as a weapon.
Can Sound Make You Sick?
In fact, it Can. It’s apparent to scientists and doctors alike that certain sound can make you sick. Here’s the reason why.
How Health is Affected by Loud Noise
Extremely loud sounds injure the inner ear. You have tiny hairs that detect +
vibrations after they pass through the eardrum membrane. These hairs never grow back once they are damaged. This is what causes the sensorineural hearing loss that many people deal with as they age.
Damaging volume begins at 85 decibels over an 8 hour time period. It only takes 15 minutes for permanent damage to occur at 100 dB. At 120 dB, the volume of a rock concert, immediate, lasting damage will take place.
Cardiovascular wellness can also be affected by noise. High blood pressure, clogged arteries, obesity, and other vascular problems can be the outcome of elevated stress hormones induced by excessively loud noise. So when individuals who are subjected to loud noise complain about memory loss and headaches, this could explain why. Cardiovascular health is strongly related to these symptoms.
In fact, one study revealed that sound volumes that begin to affect the heart, and hormones are as low a 45 decibels. That’s roughly the volume of somebody with a quiet inside voice.
How Sound Frequency Affects Health
Several years ago, diplomats in Cuba got sick when exposed to sounds. This sound was not at a really high volume. They were able to drown it out with a television. How could it have made people ill?
Frequency is the answer.
High Frequency
High frequency sounds such as the one experienced in Cuba can do significant harm at lower volumes.
Have you ever cringed when somebody scraped their nails on a chalkboard? Have you ever begged a co-worker to stop as they press their fingers over a folded piece of paper? Does the shrill sound of a violin put you on edge?
Damage was happening to your hearing if you’ve ever experienced pain from high-frequency sound. The damage may have become irreversible if you’ve exposed yourself to this sort of sound repeatedly for longer time periods.
Research has also revealed that damage can be done even if you can’t hear the sound. Harmful frequencies can come from many common devices like machinery, trains, sensors, etc.
Low Frequency
Very low-frequency sound called “infrasound” can also affect your health. It can resonate the body in such a way that the person feels nauseated and disoriented. Some even experience flashes of light and color that are typical in migraine sufferers.
How You Can Protect Your Hearing
Know how particular sounds make you feel. Reduce your exposure if specific sounds make you feel pain or other symptoms. Pain is typically a warning sign of damage.
Have your hearing tested regularly by a hearing specialist to find out how your hearing may be changing over time.
