Excessive noise may lead to a range of health conditions, including sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, arterial hypertension, irregular pulse, tension, anxiety, neurosis, sleep disorders, and a decline in memory and attention, according to a medical expert.
Dr Anastasia Beketova, an otolaryngologist and audiology specialist, explained that the human body reacts negatively to loud sounds and noise due to an inherent protective mechanism that signals danger in the environment.
She stated: ‘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.’
Dr Beketova said that while noise has become increasingly common in urban settings, its harmful effects remain. These include reduced cognitive performance, difficulty processing new information, fatigue, headaches and irritability.
She added that individuals working in environments associated with industrial or construction noise tend to experience adverse health changes more rapidly than others. Nonetheless, residents of large cities also remain at risk.
Dr Beketova highlighted that different regulations govern acceptable noise levels and exposure duration. As a general rule, 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.
She 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.
