The Negative Impact of Airplane Noise

Sound is an amazing thing. It helps us get up in the morning, warns us about danger, tells us someone wants to talk to us, and helps us communicate with each other. Sound can be exciting, fun, and happy, or terrifying, miserable, and sad. Most sounds don't cause hearing loss, but some sounds not only can cause hearing loss, but also other side effects. Aircrafts are extremely noisy, and they can cause side effects from the noise they produce.

To understand how loud noises affect our health, it is important to know a little bit about sound and how hearing works. In this article, you will learn the basics of sound, how we hear, how sound is measured, as well as some of the side effects associated with loud noises, particularly aircraft.

Understanding Sound

Sound is mechanical. Anything can cause a sound as long as it can vibrate. Sounds travel through the air. As they do this, they make things around them vibrate. A ripple effect takes place, and other things vibrate. Before long, many movements are carrying noises through the air making sounds.

Discovering How We Hear

Our ears have three different layers that help sound waves travel through nerve signals to the brain. As sound enters our ears at the outer layer, it travels to the middle ear and eardrum, eventually ending up at the inner ear. There are three bones called ossicles in the middle ear. The eardrum and bones vibrate when sound reaches them. Vibration makes the sound louder as they are carried through fluid located in the inner part of the ear, where hair cells are located. The hair cells produce vibrations that send nerve impulses to the brain. The brain deciphers these impulses, interpreting them as sounds.

Measuring Sound

Sound is measured in decibels. Decibels measure the intensity of sound. Some sounds are very soft, while other sounds are extremely loud. People are sensitive to sound. Quiet sounds that are almost silent are rated at a 0dB on a decibel scale. Whispers and normal conversations rate 15 dB to 60 dB respectively. Lawn mowers and car horns rate 90 dB and 110 dB, while rock concerts and jet engines rate 120 dB. The loudest sounds are gunshots and firecrackers which rate 140 dB on a decibel scale.

Sound waves rating above 85 dB can cause hearing loss. That's why it is important to understand the effects of loud noises in our environment. The decibel rating of aircraft is well above 85 on the measuring scale. Yet people have been exposed to the noise pollution generated from planes for years. It is expected that air traffic will double in the near future. The convenience of air travel will have an impact on the hearing of tomorrow.

Consequences of Aircraft Noises

• Sleep Disturbances and Annoyance: People who live near airports are more likely to be awakened by airplanes. Interruption of sleep can cause problems in daily life. People who don't have good sleep patterns become irritable. They have trouble focusing, and often deal with memory issues. Physically, their bodies ache, and their eyes hurt. Functioning is difficult.

• Reading Comprehension and Cognitive Memory Loss in Children: Although there have not been enough long term studies to form conclusive evidence, research indicates that aircraft noise may have a negative effect on children in school. Schools located close to airports seem to have difficulty understanding what they read. They also have trouble with memory.

• Elevated Blood Pressure: The stress created from aircraft noise has a tendency to raise blood pressure in some people. This can lead to more serious problems, especially if complications arise.

• Mental and Psychological Problems: The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that loud noises can interfere with mental and psychological behaviors. Some studies indicate that there is a higher rate of psychiatric hospital admissions near hospitals. However, other studies refute these findings.

• Disruptive Behavior: It seems people are a little more on edge when they are continuously exposed to loud noises. Children tend to act out in unacceptable ways. Adults are not as easy going. Behaviors reflect the tension build up of being exposed to continuous loud noises over time.

Airplanes are part of our everyday society, and they are noisy. We may never be able to silence the aircrafts flying overhead. We can take measures to protect our hearing in other ways. We can protect our hearing by using ear plugs when we are around loud noises. We can lower the volume on our radio and television. It is important to be aware of the impact of noise pollution.

Aircraft noise can be a nuisance in society, but as I look back through history, I can't imagine what it would be like to give up the convenience of travelling on a plane. Perhaps in the future, we will develop planes that don't blast our ears. For now, we must be content to deal with a little extra noise as we quickly travel around the globe.