When you were younger you most likely had no idea that cranking the volume up on your music could result in health concerns. You just enjoyed the music.
As you got older, you may have indulged in evenings out at loud concerts or the movies. You may have even picked a job where loud noise is normal. Long term health issues were the furthest thing from your mind.
Now that you are older and more mature, you more likely know better. Noise-induced hearing loss can appear in children as young as 12. But did you realize that sound is so powerful that it can even be used as a weapon?
Can You Get Sick From Sound?
In short, yes. Certain sounds can evidently make you sick according to scientists and doctors. Here’s why.
How Health is Affected by Loud Noise
Very loud sounds damage the inner ear. After sound goes through the membrane of the eardrum it’s picked up by tiny hairs in the ears. Once these little hairs are damaged, they don’t ever heal or regenerate. Many people, as they age, deal with sensorineural hearing loss caused by this.
Over 85 dB of volume for an 8 hour period of time will start to cause long-term impairment. It only takes 15 minutes for long-term impairment to occur at 100 dB. At 120 dB, the volume of a rock concert, immediate, long-term damage will take place.
Noises can also affect cardiovascular wellness. High blood pressure, clogged arteries, obesity, and other vascular concerns can be the consequence of elevated stress hormones induced by excessively loud noise. So when individuals who are exposed to loud noise complain about memory loss and headaches, this may explain why. These are directly connected to the health of your cardiovascular system.
Sound as low as 45 decibels can, as reported by one study, start to impact your hormones and your heart. A person talking with a quiet indoor voice is at this volume level.
Your Health is Affected by Some Sound Frequencies – This is How
Cuban diplomats became sick after being exposed to certain sounds several years ago. This sound wasn’t at a really high volume. They were able to drown it out with a tv. How might it have been able to make people sick?
Frequency is the answer.
High Frequency
Even at lower volumes, appreciable harm can be done by certain high-frequency sound.
Does the sound of nails on a chalkboard make you cringe? Have you ever begged a co-worker to stop as they press their fingers across a folded piece of paper? Does the shrill sound of a violin put you on edge?
Damage was happening to your hearing if you’ve ever felt pain from high-pitched sound. The damage could have become irreversible if you’ve subjected yourself to this sort of sound repeatedly for longer periods of time.
Studies have also revealed that damage can happen even if you can’t hear the sound. Harmful frequencies can come from lots of common devices like machinery, trains, sensors, etc.
Low Frequency
Your health can also be affected by infrasound which is extremely low frequency sound. The vibrations can make you feel disoriented and physically ill. Some even get flashes of color and light that are common in migraine sufferers.
How You Can Safeguard Your Hearing
Know how particular sounds make you feel. If you’re feeling pain or other symptoms when you’re exposed to certain sounds, limit your exposure. Pain is often a warning sign of damage.
Get your hearing tested regularly by a hearing specialist to find out how your hearing could be changing over time.
