What you think is normal may actually be four signs of noise pollution.

Do you often experience a buzzing sound in your ears? Are you used to noisy environments?

Noise pollution is everywhere, and it is quietly eroding our health! You may be exposed to noise without even realizing it .

These four signs may seem unrelated to noise, but they are actually warning signs of the dangers of noise!

Hearing loss, unable to hear what others are saying

Do you find yourself frequently needing others to repeat themselves, or needing to turn up the volume when watching TV? These could be early signs of hearing loss due to long-term exposure to noise! ​​Don't dismiss "not being able to hear clearly" as a sign of old age; it could be a warning from noise!

The WHO Global Hearing Loss Report indicates that approximately 430 million people worldwide suffer from moderate to severe hearing loss due to noise pollution . The NIOSH Occupational Noise Study in the United States, which followed 12,000 workers for 20 years, found that 40% of those exposed to noise levels of ≥85 decibels for 8 hours daily experienced symptoms of "hearing but not understanding" (such as being unable to distinguish between "silk" and "poetry").

Tinnitus, ear pain, and strange noises in my ears

Tinnitus is a persistent symptom, like " a cicada living in your ear ." Short-term exposure to loud noise (like drilling for 2 hours) can cause temporary swelling of the cochlear hair cells, which may recover. However, prolonged exposure to noise can cause the hair cells to break and die , resulting in irreversible damage to the ear and hearing loss .

A study published in The Lancet Neuroscience showed that when healthy subjects were exposed to 110 decibels (the sound of an electric drill) for 15 minutes , all experienced tinnitus , with 30% of them experiencing tinnitus for more than 24 hours. After a cumulative 10 exposures , 78% developed chronic tinnitus, accompanied by a sharp decline in high-frequency hearing .

Irritability and mood swings

They are short-tempered and easily angered by trivial matters; they feel irritated and unable to concentrate in noisy environments.

Noise not only damages the ears, but also affects the nervous system , leading to mood swings, anxiety, and even insomnia!

Experiments have shown that continuous noise at night (50 decibels, like the hum of a refrigerator) activates the amygdala in the brain, causing a surge in adrenaline, a 27% increase in the stress hormone cortisol, and a 40% reduction in deep sleep.

My heart is racing and my blood pressure is inexplicably high.

Palpitations, chest tightness, and even dizziness. Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to noise increases the risk of cardiovascular disease!

Studies have shown that for every 10 decibel increase in noise , the risk of cardiovascular disease increases by 14% . Residents in areas with high noise levels from airplane takeoffs and landings have a three times higher incidence of myocardial infarction. Sudden noise (such as a car horn) can cause blood pressure to spike by 30 mmHg instantly.

The dangers of noise pollution should not be underestimated ! Starting today, pay attention to the noise environment around you and take effective protective measures: stay away from noise sources, reduce exposure time, and create a quiet and comfortable living and working environment.

Protect your ears = protect your overall health , starting now!

Article forwarded from: Dr. Sound