How our noisy world is seriously damaging our health

In our modern world, we are constantly surrounded by noise, and this noise can have serious effects on our health. It is not just an annoyance; it can lead to significant health issues such as heart attacks, type 2 diabetes, and even dementia. Many people do not realize how much noise impacts their bodies. Professor Charlotte Clark from St George's University in London describes noise as a public health crisis that we often overlook. To better understand this issue, I met with Professor Clark in a sound laboratory designed to measure how our bodies react to noise. I was equipped with a device resembling a chunky smartwatch that would track my heart rate and perspiration levels. You can also participate in this experiment by listening to five different sounds and reflecting on how they make you feel. One sound that I found particularly irritating was the traffic noise from Dhaka, Bangladesh, which is known as the noisiest city in the world. The moment I heard it, I felt as if I were stuck in a massive, stressful traffic jam. My heart rate increased, and I began to sweat more. Professor Clark explained that there is substantial evidence linking traffic noise to heart health issues. The only sound that had a calming effect on me was the joyful noise of children playing in a playground. In contrast, the sounds of barking dogs and loud parties triggered negative responses in my body. But why does sound have such a profound effect on our physical state? Professor Clark elaborated that our ears detect sound and send signals to our brain, where the amygdala, the emotional center, assesses the situation. This part of the brain is crucial for our fight-or-flight response, which has evolved to help us react quickly to potential dangers, such as a predator lurking nearby. As a result, our heart rate increases, our nervous system activates, and stress hormones are released. While this response is beneficial in emergencies, prolonged exposure to noise can lead to serious health problems. Professor Clark warned that if we are exposed to noise for several years, our bodies react as if we are in danger all the time, which raises the risk of developing conditions like heart attacks, high blood pressure, strokes, and type 2 diabetes. Alarmingly, this response can occur even while we are asleep. I used to think I could adapt to noise when I lived near an airport, but Professor Clark explained that our ears never truly shut off. Even during sleep, we are still listening, and our heart rate can increase in response to sounds. Noise is defined as unwanted sound, and it can come from various sources, including traffic, trains, and airplanes. However, it can also stem from social activities, such as parties. I met a woman named Coco who lives in the vibrant Vila de Gràcia area of Barcelona, Spain. She loves her home, but it is incredibly noisy. Coco described the constant noise as '24-hour noise. ' There is a nearby dog park where dogs bark at all hours, and the courtyard is often filled with loud parties and concerts. She shared recordings of the music that was so loud it made her windows vibrate. Instead of being a peaceful refuge from her work stress, her home has become a source of frustration, leading her to feel overwhelmed and even cry. Coco has been hospitalized twice due to chest pain, and she firmly believes that the noise is contributing to her health issues. According to researcher Dr. Maria Foraster, Barcelona experiences around 300 heart attacks and 30 deaths each year due to traffic noise. Dr. Foraster has studied the effects of noise for the World Health Organization and found that traffic noise has the most significant impact on health because it is so prevalent. She explained that noise is linked to 12,000 premature deaths annually, along with millions of cases of disturbed sleep and serious noise annoyance that can affect mental health. I met Dr. Foraster at a café located near one of Barcelona's busiest roads. My sound meter indicated that the noise from the traffic was just over 60 decibels, which is already an unhealthy level. The safe threshold for heart health is 53 decibels, and the higher the noise level, the greater the health risks. Dr. Foraster emphasized that we need quieter environments, especially at night, to ensure good sleep. It is not only about the volume of the noise; the disruptive nature of the sound and how much control we have over it also influence our emotional responses. Dr. Foraster believes that the health impacts of noise are comparable to those of air pollution, but they are often harder to grasp. Loud parties can be enjoyable for some, but for others, they can be unbearable. Traffic noise affects many people because it is so widespread. Addressing noise pollution requires changes in how we live, which can be challenging. Dr. Natalie Mueller from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health took me on a walk through the city. We started on a busy road where my sound meter registered over 80 decibels, and then we moved to a quieter tree-lined avenue where the noise level dropped to the 50s. This street used to be a busy road, but it has been transformed into a pedestrian-friendly area with cafes and gardens. Dr. Mueller explained that this change has created a more pleasant environment. The city initially planned to create over 500 similar areas, known as superblocks, to reduce noise and improve health. However, only six superblocks have been completed. The issue of noise pollution continues to grow as urbanization increases the number of people living in noisy cities. Dhaka, Bangladesh, is one of the fastest-growing megacities in the world, and it has a cacophony of honking horns. An artist named Momina Raman Royal has become known as the 'lone hero' for his silent protests against the city's noise problem. He stands at busy intersections with a large yellow sign urging drivers to stop honking their horns. He began this mission after the birth of his daughter, wanting to reduce noise not just in Dhaka but throughout Bangladesh. The government of Bangladesh is also taking action, with Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan expressing concern about the health impacts of noise. They are implementing campaigns to raise awareness and enforce laws against excessive honking. Finding solutions to noise pollution is complex and challenging, but it is essential for our health. We must seek ways to create quieter spaces in our lives because, as Dr. Masrur Abdul Quader from the Bangladesh University of Professionals stated, noise is 'a silent killer and a slow poison.