When you were a kid you probably had no clue that turning the volume up on your music could lead to health problems. You just enjoyed the music.
You had a good time when you were growing up, going to loud concerts and movies. It may even be normal for you to have experienced loud noise at work. Still, you didn’t think it had any lasting effects.
You probably know differently today. Noise-induced hearing loss can appear in kids as young as 12. But sound is so powerful it can even be used as a weapon.
Can Sound Make You Ill?
In fact, it Can. It’s apparent to doctors and scientists alike that certain sound can make you sick. Here’s why.
How Health is Affected by Loud Noise
Very loud sounds injure the inner ear. You have tiny hairs that pick up +
vibrations after they pass through the membrane of the eardrum. These hairs never regenerate once they are damaged. Many people, as they age, deal with sensorineural hearing loss caused by this.
Harmful volume begins at 85 decibels over an 8 hour time period. If you’re subjected to over 100 dB, long-term damage takes place within 15 minutes. A loud concert is around 120 decibels, which causes instantaneous, irreversible damage.
Cardiovascular health can also be affected by noise. Subjection to loud noise can boost stress hormones, which can contribute to High blood pressure, clogged arteries, obesity, and more. So when people who are exposed to loud noise complain about memory loss and headaches, this could explain why. Cardiovascular health is strongly linked to these symptoms.
Sound as low as 45 decibels can, based on one study, start to have an impact on your hormones and your heart. That’s roughly the volume of somebody with a quiet indoor voice.
Your Health is Affected by Certain Sound Frequencies – Here’s How
Cuban diplomats became sick after being exposed to certain sounds a few years ago. This sound wasn’t at a very loud volume. They were able to block it out with a tv. So how could this type of sound cause people to get sick?
Frequency is the answer.
High Frequency
High frequency sounds such as the one experienced in Cuba can do appreciable harm at lower volumes.
Have you ever cringed when somebody scratched their nails on a chalkboard? Have you ever pleaded with 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?
If you’ve felt the energy of high-pitched sounds, the pain you felt was actually damage happening to your hearing. The damage may have become permanent if you’ve subjected yourself to this kind of sound repeatedly for longer periods of time.
Studies have also discovered that you don’t even have to be able to hear the sound. High-pitched sounds emanating from sensors, trains, machinery, and other man-made devices may be emitting frequencies that do damage with sustained exposure.
Low Frequency
Extremely low-frequency sound called “infrasound” can also affect your health. The vibrations can make you feel disoriented and physically sick. Some even experience flashes of light and color that are typical in migraine sufferers.
How You Can Protect Your Hearing
Know how certain sounds make you feel. Limit your exposure if certain sounds make you feel pain or other symptoms. Pain is frequently a warning sign of damage.
In order to know how your hearing may be changing over time, get in touch with a hearing specialist for an examination.