Decibel Hell World wide noise induced hearing impairment -> estimated that 120 million people have

e disabling hearing difficulties. 1999 Guidelines for Community Noise Most pervasive outdoor noise sources -> passenger vehicles, trains, buses, motorcycles, medium and heavy trucks, aircrafts-> according to the EPA(1981) Zero dBA is where a person begins to hear sound Soft whisper at 3 ft = 30 dBA Busy freeway at 50ft = 80 dBA Chain saw = 110dBA or more Sound Exposure Level -> variations in sound from moment to moment Equivalent Sound Level -> the value of a steady sound with the same dBA sound energy as that contained in a time-varying sound. NIOSH -> industries having a high # of workers exposed to loud sounds include construction, agriculture, mining, manufacturing, utilities, transportation and the military OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires that any employer w/ workers overexposed to noise provide protection for those against the harmful effects of noise. Second hand noise -> noise that is heard where the person hearing it didn't produce it Dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, and hair dryers can all reach over 90 dBA -> Noise in the Home Hearing music at 150 dBA is like standing next to a boeing 747 airplanes with its engines at full throttle -> Noise Free America 75% of frameworks having hearing problems due to machines Japan -> loud speakers people where earplugs Europe -> 65% is exposed to ambient sound levels Prolonged exposure can change strict of hair cell in inner ear -> hearing loss can also cause tinnitus, a ringing, roaring, buzzing, or clicking in the ear. Loud noise exposure can lead to a rise in blood pressure or heart rate Airports are a flash community frustration involving noise Frankfurt am Main Airport in Germany received 56,330 noise related complaints The closing of ONAC ( Office of Noise Abatement and Control) had a negative effect. It was suppose to protect the public health and welfare by controlling noise, but since business exceeded levels it closed due to no more money Quiet Communities Act (1997)-> provided the refunding of ONAC for $21 mill. to be spent on noise reduction

The ear is very sensitive to sound. It can only take so much before it bursts. Yet

humans haven't stopped to realize this. They continue with their loud music, car engines blasting, horn honking, ect. Do they not realize the dangers and how close one is to losing their hearing, or do they simply not care. According to the Guidelines for Community Noise in 1999 about 120 million people worldwide have hearing impairment. Many perverse outdoor noise sources to have a heavy impact on hearing. According to the EPA in 1981 such sources include passenger vehicles, trains, buses, motorcycles, medium and heavy trucks, aircrafts. dBA is what is used to measure the relative loudness of sounds in the air as perceived by the human air. Zero dBA is where a person begins to hear sound, a soft whisper at 3 feet equals 80 dBA, a busy freeway at 50 feet away equals 80 dBA, a chain saw could equal 110 dBA or more. People are exposed to different levels of noise either by them making the sound or by second hand noise which is noise that is heard by not produced by the person hearing it, like airports. Airports are actually one of the most complained about. For the Frankfurt am Main Airport in Germany it received 56,330 noise related complaints. There are different organizations that have noise policies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) which requires that any employer with workers overexposed to noise to provide protection for those against the harmful effects of noise. One organization Office of Noise Abatement and Control actually helped control noise levels, but ever since it closed it had a negative effect on society. It closed due to money issues, but in 1997 the Quiet Communities Act provided $21 million for the ONAC to be spent on noise reduction. Wow what information. So much about how loud noise levels are dangerous. I knew listening to loud things are harmful, but i never knew how sensitive our ears are. I mean I love listening to music with my earbuds, but know I have to be cautious on how loud I have my music turned up. I'm sure many people know about the dangers they just don't want to change their ways because it's hard in a way. I know that when I'm listening to a good song, I want it almost on full volume, but that is certainty not the best idea.

So What? If we continue the way we are we will not only have a large increase of deafness, but maybe some harm done to the ocean as well. I know that whales and dolphins confuse the horns or pings of ships as calls and

Says Who? This article was written by Ron Chepesiuk, but in it was a lot of information provided by the EPA,

OSHA, and NIOSH. Along with researches and scientists like E.L. Smith and D.L Laird. they end up washed up on the beach. So we are not just hurting ourselves, but the environment and it's beauties.

What If..? If we take more caution in how harmful loud levels on noise is to humans and sea animals they're would be a decrease of hearing loss for sure, blood pressure would remain normal same with heart conditions and less whale would be found washed up on the beach. A small change could make a big difference.

What Does This Remind Me Of? This reminds me of hearing about how the pings and horns on ships affect sea animals such as whales and dolphins. I was surprised this article didn't talk about that, but at the same time it was focusing on how it affects humans.