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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), noise pollution is actually the second biggest environmental threat to our health, just behind air pollution. Loud noise impacts our health in ways that extend beyond hearing. A growing body of research shows that long-term exposure to environmental noise, particularly from traffic, can increase the risk of heart conditions. For example, a study published in the European Heart Journal followed nearly 500 adults over five years and found a concerning correlation: just a 5 decibel increase in average noise levels in a 24-hour period was linked to a 34% rise in heart attacks, strokes, and other serious cardiovascular events. So, how can you safeguard your ears? Start by lowering the volume when you can and keeping track of how much noise you’re exposed to each day. Don’t forget to give your ears a rest with some quiet moments throughout the day. And always have earplugs handy for those especially noisy situations. Your ears will thank you. The Hearing Health Foundation recommends that when using personal listening devices, aim to keep the volume at 50-60% of the maximum and limit your listening sessions to no more than 60 minutes at a time. Remember, the longer you listen, the lower the volume should be. Beyond personal protective measures, establishing a quieter environment at home can significantly reduce your overall noise exposure. Here are some simple yet effective strategies for creating a quieter living space. Installing double-glazed windows, along with adding rugs, carpets, and thick curtains, can significantly lower noise levels in your home. For example, carpets can reduce the sound of footsteps by up to 34 decibels, compared to just 6 decibels for hard surfaces like wood or laminate. Additionally, strategically placing large furniture, such as bookshelves, can help absorb sound between homes with shared walls. Outdoors, planting trees or shrubs, and installing fences can serve as natural sound barriers, enhancing both air quality and the aesthetic appeal of your environment. It’s equally important to carve out moments of silence in our daily lives. In fact, a study published in the journal Heart found that just two minutes of silence between musical pieces was even more calming than relaxing music. Participants showed greater drops in heart rate and blood pressure during those silent sessions, suggesting that silence can help us relax more deeply than music alone.
