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Noise pollution hurts the heart

theatlantic.com

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Re: Noise pollution hurts the heart

#71

Post by pims »

I've been suffering from tinnitus and hyperacusis for over three years. It led me to read a bit about hearing in general, and more and more studies show that most of the hearing loss we experience as we grow old is nothing natural but the result of the years of abuse we inflict upon our ears in our everyday lives ( https://www.jneurosci.org/content/40/33/6357 ). Even though my situation is specific, this article does not surprise me at all. I believe it has also been proven that loud noise reduces brain activity levels and cognitive performance.

I wasn't a fan of loud noises before my hyperacusis appeared, but now I've grown to absolutely despise motorcycle drivers who seem to feel obligated to make as much noise as possible in dense areas, accelerating as strong as they can regardless of common sense and speed limits. I won't even mention those doing this late at night throughout the city, not worried about waking up hundreds if not thousands of people.

I've moved out of a big city to be less exposed to traffic noise, unfortunately the area I'm now in is coastal and often has said drivers "enjoying" the coastline in their own unique way as soon as the sun is out.

I hope that this major public health issue will be tackled in the upcoming years, and that strong limitations on engine noise will be put in place, enforced by sound radars, heavy fines, and incentives to go electric.

Re: Noise pollution hurts the heart

#72

Post by metalliqaz »

baron816 wrote: post #3

There are few things that make me angrier than when a Harley-Davidson style motorcycle (or a pack of them) drive past me while I’m walking down the street. I can’t believe cities haven’t prohibited them, especially at night. Those things are specifically designed to create noise pollution. They’re so fucking obnoxious, even just thinking about it while I’m writing this is working me up.

if the typical biker was a 24 year old hispanic man, they would be outlawed before you could say "ay caramba". Instead, boomers and genx white guys get a pass.

Re: Noise pollution hurts the heart

#73

Post by Red_Leaves_Flyy »

I see the top few comments talking about motorcycles, leaf blowers, and automobiles.

My pet peeve are jets. Living within ~5 miles of an air force base, or any major airport, is terrible. Everyone stops what they're doing for the for whatever duration a plane is in the area. Local and state politicians are powerless to do anything because of "the jobs".

Re: Noise pollution hurts the heart

#74

Post by TheSpiceIsLife »

sneak wrote: post #48
baron816 wrote: post #3

There are few things that make me angrier than when a Harley-Davidson style motorcycle (or a pack of them) drive past me while I’m walking down the street. I can’t believe cities haven’t prohibited them, especially at night. Those things are specifically designed to create noise pollution. They’re so fucking obnoxious, even just thinking about it while I’m writing this is working me up.

Loud sounds are annoying to be sure, but this sounds also like a bit of an emotional regulation issue in addition, especially if just writing a comment about the event is enraging you. Stressing about that kind of stuff that you ultimately have little/no control over is an express train to an unhappy life.

There might be some truth to this, though I don't know whether we have conscious control of it.

There's some evidence to suggest magnesium deficiency can lead to an increase in startle response.

Re: Noise pollution hurts the heart

#75

Post by wl »

nickysielicki wrote: post #35
baron816 wrote: post #3

There are few things that make me angrier than when a Harley-Davidson style motorcycle (or a pack of them) drive past me while I’m walking down the street. I can’t believe cities haven’t prohibited them, especially at night. Those things are specifically designed to create noise pollution. They’re so fucking obnoxious, even just thinking about it while I’m writing this is working me up.

I get where you're coming from, but I also believe that loud pipes save lives. Ultimately, is it really that big of a deal?

Inflicting hearing loss on the unconsenting public is a huge deal.

Re: Noise pollution hurts the heart

#76

Post by garyclarke27 »

Low frequency, wall penetrating, non-stop, droning noises like heat pumps (becoming pervasive with the green energy bandwagon) and a/c compressors are even worse than intermittent noise like planes or vehicles. They go all night and drive me crazy ruining my sleep and health.

Re: Noise pollution hurts the heart

#77

Post by teddyh »

flycaliguy wrote: post #67
airstrike wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have this wild pet idea that we should be have a meter connected to a car's horn and at the end of the year you have to pay a bill for the amount you used. Something like $0.10 / second. You'll still honk when you need to but think twice before using it to annoy other drivers.

I like your thinking but the dystopian reality would be a wealthy elite class of honkers giving us all heart attacks.

Scale it by income: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day-fine

Re: Noise pollution hurts the heart

#78

Post by agumonkey »

ryanianian wrote: post #13

Damaging the heart sounds right. My neighbor has a unique obsession with his leaf-blower. It's like his daily 30-120 minutes of exercise at random times of the day. Even with all the noise-cancelling technology in the world, it ruins me for at least 2-3 hours and makes both video-conferencing and deep work basically impossible. Here's the thing: Nobody cares. The neighbor can say no to polite requests to figure out a…

Are these gas powered blower? I wonder if electric ones exist. If not maybe there's a better design for small homes / lawn.

Re: Noise pollution hurts the heart

#79

Post by nitrogen »

ryanianian wrote: post #13

Damaging the heart sounds right. My neighbor has a unique obsession with his leaf-blower. It's like his daily 30-120 minutes of exercise at random times of the day. Even with all the noise-cancelling technology in the world, it ruins me for at least 2-3 hours and makes both video-conferencing and deep work basically impossible. Here's the thing: Nobody cares. The neighbor can say no to polite requests to figure out a…

A partial solution would be soundproof houses, though that doesn't rescue one's backyard or park from loud neighbors. Every house or apartment should have at least a room or two that are impervious to outdoor noise.

At the same time, there are really good reasons to make noise sometimes, from music to machines, so better ways to do that without overly bothering others are needed too.

Re: Noise pollution hurts the heart

#80

Post by FooHentai »

xapata wrote: post #66
tayo42 wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lately I've come to the conclusion that peace and quiet really is a luxury to have. Most people I don't think get to experience it. You need to have money to have it so you can live somewhere nice. Other wise your stuck living in apartment buildings, crowded cities, next to noisy neighbors. Go to busy shared spaces (ppl stop playing radios out doors!) or staying in shitty hotels.

There are plenty of poor people with peace and quiet in rural areas.

I’m not so sure about that, nature is often loud AF. Agriculture, too.
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