Noise and health

Sound is very important in our lives, not only can it completely change our mood, but
depending on what kind of sound it is, it has a direct impact on our health, both
physical and mental.

A musical sound can make us instantly happy, but it can also be harmful when it is too
loud. It is well known that when we hear the sounds of moving water, it triggers a
response in our brain that induces a rush of neurochemicals that increase blood flow
to the brain and heart, resulting in a state of relaxation.

This is why the ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) phenomenon has
become so successful. ASMR is a popular social media product that offers soft,
whisper-like sounds to provoke a tingling or relaxing effect on the listener. It is often
used to help the listener sleep or relieve stress.

It is all down to how our brain interprets each sound or noise it receives. In fact,
exposure to noise is one of the great noise problems of the 21st century, coming from
leisure, music, transport, technological devices… it is undoubtedly part of our daily
lives, affecting the level of concentration in our activities, the quality of our sleep, our
hearing, our ability to communicate and can even cause physical impacts such as an
increase in blood pressure or the stress hormone.

It is estimated that 20% of the European population is exposed to noise that is so loud and
damaging to our ears that it causes pain.

According to the WHO, we are impacted daily by sounds that exceed the healthy noise
threshold for our ears, 65 dB. Everyday sounds with high decibels that, with prolonged
exposure, can end up damaging the auditory system. To get an idea of the noise
overexposure we live with, a telephone alarm produces 75 dB, traffic in big cities, an
average of 85 dB, listening to music with headphones, above 95 dB, and an ambulance
siren, 125 dB.

The abuse and misuse of new technologies, especially among young people, is having a
significant impact on irreversible damage to the inner ear, which can lead to greater
and more intense hearing problems at increasingly earlier ages.

Furthermore, numerous global workplace productivity studies have found a
consistent link between poor concentration and noisy, open-plan offices. Noise can
make people more stressed, especially in jobs that require a high level of
concentration.

Some modern architectural trends, such as open workspaces, lightweight construction,
exposed concrete finishes or HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems,
can have detrimental effects on the acoustic comfort and quality of a space if not
designed intentionally.

Noise sensitivity appears to be cumulative. In a UK study, a positive correlation was
observed between spending more time in an office space and perceived disturbance
from keyboard and ambient noise. It was also concluded that noise stressors that
negatively influence productivity relate to loud conversations of people, telephone
conversations, machines, and unspecified noises inside and outside the building.

Open workspaces are often used to foster social relationships, communication,
knowledge sharing and cooperation. However, the reduced privacy of open
workspaces, both acoustically and visually, can cause auditory distractions and
interruptions. Some reports have shown that people are less likely to help each other
in noisy conditions, which reduces collaboration in the workplace.

According to the International Well Building Institute’s requirements, spaces should
be designed with intent and use in mind. For example, spaces in a typical office can be
categorised into four key locations: concentration, collaboration, socialisation and
learning rooms.

Luckily, architects and human resources managers all over the world are starting to
take this into account. Because being able to hear well, at the right frequency, and in
the usual environments of our society, is nowadays becoming a privilege, as well as
being an important condition for people’s physical and mental health. A capacity that
must be cared for and monitored as part of a complete wellness programme.

Only if we hear well, have the right attitude to listen and be listened to. We can
make sure of it.

If you would like to know more and/or suggest a health and wellness topic of interest,
please write to us.

María Kindelán