Noise is one of the problems that have emerged with industrial advancement and progress in urban environments. It has significantly increased with the invasion of social media websites and modern technology in homes, streets, schools and the workplace. While many people are unaware of the effects of noise pollution, experts say there are many psychological, health and mental effects of noise on human beings.
Dr. Maher Yaqoub, ear, nose and throat consultant, said noise pollution can be found both inside and outside the home.
“When one goes home to relax, we hear noise coming from modern devices such as smart phones and tablets that exist in nearly all houses. At the workplace, we hear noise produced by vehicles outside on the street and by devices used at the workplace. On the way home, we are affected by the noise emitted by car horns, police sirens and the like. All these sources of noise can have negative effects on human beings,” Yaqoub said.
Recent studies on the issue have shown that many people suffer from increasing hearing loss due to exposure to constant noise. Infants and the elderly are more susceptible to noise-related damage than others.
“In fact, noise can destroy a child's hearing ability and have impact on his health as well,” he said.
Some studies link physiological reactions of the body and one's ability to carry out tasks with noise. “One of the ways our bodies react to noise is by contractions of peripheral blood vessels, slow breath, perspiration, muscle contractions and chemical changes of blood and urine,” Yaqoub added.
Psychological effects
Dr. Alaa Al-Tabee, psychological and neurological disease specialist, said noise has negative impact on the physiological, psychological and health conditions of humans. It influences their performance at work or school as well as the way they communicate with others.
Prolonged exposure to noise affects nerves and makes one feel dissatisfied and frightened because it harms the brain and reduces its activity. The end result is always discomfort and confusion.
“A person might develop anxiety and eventually experience a nervous breakdown if he or she remains constantly exposed to noise. Psychological research has shown that some nervous system diseases are caused by prolonged exposure to noise,” Al-Tabee said.
Noise can cause mental stress and leave the mind unable to comprehend and process information. A person's level of alertness and ability to calculate are influenced as well. Noise alters mind behavior and makes a person more hostile toward others. It is the reason why some individuals appear to be unwilling to help others in certain social situations.
Psychologist Dr. Nora Al-Salman said many studies in the field have shown that noise can have severe negative effects on the mental development of a child. Sensitive children feel frightened if exposed to too much noise and such a feeling may get worse in the future and lead to depression, exhaustion and anxiety. The consequences can be detrimental to the psychological state of a child.
“Even embryos inside mothers' wombs can be affected by noise if a mother works in a noisy environment. The nervous system of embryos is very sensitive. A working mother will most probably suffer from anxiety and irritability after giving birth,” Al-Salman said.
Citizen Abdulkahliq Al-Ruwaished said he gets nervous every time he hears a car horn or loud music coming from inside vehicles. “When I become exposed to noise like this, I get tense and irritable at work and home,” he said. In his opinion, authorities should fine drivers who use their horns excessively.
