We are surrounded by noises all the time and for some, even the most relaxing time like reading a book or enjoying a nap can have audible interruptions. In today’s environment people struggle with noises 24/7, from hearing neighbors while you are at home, traffic outside and phones at the office. If loud commotion and noise disturbs you, it’s important to understand that you are experiencing the phenomena of noise pollution – the excessive noise that harms the activity of a human life. Noise pollution can be placed into three separate categories: environmental, community, or workplace noise.
Environmental noises are typically the once we hear outside. Aircraft, railway and roadway noise are three of the most serious contributors to noise pollution worldwide. Excessive traffic (and oh those drivers who like to blow the horn!) are part of environmental noise. Even poor urban planning can influence the levels of noise pollution.
Community noise (also called neighborhood noise or residential noise) includes barking dogs, loud parties, police sirens and boom cars (vehicles with high-powered audio systems). I bet you encounter this type of noise regularly. By the way, industrial noise (such as noise from local businesses and their clientele, construction noise, and street noise) belong to this noise category.
Workplace noise is simply the sounds at your office or wherever you work. Ringing phones, colleagues loud chatting, printers and fax machines constantly buzzing around you are all workplace noises that can cause health hazards or stress to the mind. Please note that if you are working on a construction site or at the airport, the noise is still environmental and not a workplace one.
Now you probably think “What should I do? How am I supposed to live with all these noises that are everywhere?”. Here are a couple of tips how to reduce noise levels:
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