Living in a noisy neighborhood can be a real challenge for anyone, especially for guests who are not used to it. I recently stayed with a friend in a city neighborhood and I have to say, it was one of the most difficult experiences I’ve had when it comes to noise pollution.
The constant sounds of cars honking, sirens blaring, and people talking loudly at all hours of the night made it nearly impossible for me to get a good night’s sleep. I found myself lying awake for hours, staring at the ceiling, trying to block out the noise. Even with earplugs and a white noise machine, I couldn’t escape the constant din.
But the noise wasn’t just a problem at night. During the day, I found myself constantly on edge, trying to focus on work or a book, but being constantly interrupted by the sounds of the city. The constant chatter and noise made it difficult to relax and enjoy my time in the city.
Worst of all, the noise seemed to seep into every aspect of my life. I found myself getting headaches and feeling more anxious and stressed than I normally would. It was clear that living in a noisy neighborhood was having a real negative impact on my health and well-being.
I understand that this is just a part of city living and one just have to get used to it, but as a guest it is not an easy task. If you’re planning to visit a city or live in a noisy neighborhood, I would advise you to be prepared for the constant noise, and to do everything you can to protect your hearing and mental health.
Just for infomation, being an engineer I like numbers, so the maximum noise level for human hearing is around 120 decibels, however, exposure to noise levels above 85 decibels for a prolonged period of time can cause permanent hearing damage. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that employers limit worker exposure to noise levels above 90 decibels for a maximum of 8 hours.
The minimum noise level for human hearing is around 0 decibels, this is the threshold of human hearing, any sound below this level is considered inaudible. However, it’s worth mentioning that the human ear can detect sounds as low as -20 decibels, and some individuals may be able to hear even lower levels.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that prolonged exposure to noise levels above 55 decibels can cause health problems such as sleep disturbance, stress, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive impairment. Therefore, it is recommended to keep noise levels inside the house or your living environment as low as possible, especially during night time. To achieve this, it is recommended that the following actions is taken:
- Insulate your home: Insulating your walls and floors can help to reduce the amount of noise that enters your home from the outside. This can be done by using sound-proofing materials such as acoustic foam or fiberglass insulation.
- Use noise-cancelling curtains or windows: Specialized curtains and windows can help to block out unwanted noise from entering your home. Look for curtains or windows that are specifically designed to block sound.
- Use rugs and carpet: Rugs and carpeting can help to absorb sound and reduce echo in your home. This can help to make your home feel more comfortable and reduce the amount of noise that bounces around.
- Unplug electronics when not in use: Many electronics and appliances generate background noise even when they are not in use. Be sure to unplug these devices when they are not in use to reduce the overall noise level in your home.
- Create a quiet space: Designate a quiet space in your home where you can go to relax and escape from noise. This can be a room, a corner, or even a closet. Stock it with comfortable seating, soft lighting, and calming music.
- Get creative with soundproofing: if you are in a rented place, you can’t do a lot of changes. But you can still try to dampen the sound. Hang heavy curtains, put furniture against walls, use door draft stoppers, and even put a bookshelf against a shared wall.
- Talk to your neighbors: If the noise level is coming from your neighbors, it may be helpful to have a conversation with them. Explain how the noise is impacting you and ask if they can make changes to reduce the noise.
By taking these steps, you can help to reduce the noise level in your home to below 55 decibels, making it a more comfortable and peaceful living environment.