Effects of noise on humans

Prolonged exposure of human beings to elevated noise levels results in irreversible damage to human health, thereby representing one of the most widespread public health hazards in industrialized countries. The main source of environmental noise exposure today is the road traffic noise. Aerodynamic noise created at freeway speeds is particularly intense. Currently, tens of millions of people are exposed to sound levels capable of not just causing hearing loss, but also inducing tinnitus, hypertension, vasoconstriction and other cardiovascular impacts. Apart from effects mentioned above, elevated noise levels also induce stress, increase accident rates at the workplace and stimulate aggression and other anti-social types of behavior. The most important sources of sound levels that cause the effects to human health mentioned above are road traffic and aircraft noise, along with prolonged exposure to loud music and industrial noise.