Shhh! Quiet Please

[QuilterMom]

http://www.publix.com/wellness/green...1&childId=1342

From cranked-up car stereos to noisy power tools, more than 30 million Americans are exposed to hazardous noise levels on a regular basis. Here's how to turn down the volume and help your health.

You spend Saturday mowing the lawn, clearing the sidewalk with a leaf blower, and trimming some low-hanging tree branches with a chain saw. By the end of the day, your yard might be neat and tidy, but your nerves may be frayed from all that noise. Over time, the cumulative stress caused by frequent noise can take a toll on your mental and physical well-being. Among other things, excessive noise has been linked to:

Increased stress, fatigue and irritability

Higher blood pressure, faster breathing rate and changes in the way the heart beats

Trouble sleeping, even after the noise stops

Upset stomach and other digestive problems

Reduced concentration on critical tasks

Decreased performance at work and school

Hearing loss and tinnitus (constant ringing or hissing in the ears)

The Danger Zone
Noise is not only a health hazard, but also one of the most pervasive pollutants in the United States. The health impact of a sound depends partly on how loud it is. Loudness is measured in decibels (dB), and anything over 80 dB is considered potentially hazardous to health and hearing. To put that number in perspective:

40 dB = quiet room
60 dB = normal conversation
80 dB = busy street
100 dB = chain saw
120 dB = amplified rock music
140 dB = gunshot
Household items that can hit the danger zone include blenders, dishwashers, hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, electric drills, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, power saws and even noisy toys. Constantly listening to portable music players could also be asking for serious trouble, since some players can reach volumes in excess of 110 dB. A good rule of thumb, according to Atlanta audiologist Kadyn Williams, AuD: "If someone standing 3 feet away can hear sound coming from the earbud or headset, you need to turn down the volume."
Scary Sound Effects
The nature of a sound may also influence its effect on your health. By definition, noise is unwanted sound, and it stands to reason that long-term exposure to irritating or unpleasant sounds might contribute to chronic stress. Long-lasting stress, in turn, has been linked to a host of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, headaches, back and jaw pain, heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome, impaired immune function, and perhaps even cancer.


When it comes to your hearing, both the loudness of a sound and the length of time you're exposed to it determine its impact. One-time exposure to an extremely loud sound, such as an explosion, can cause immediate hearing loss. But most noise-induced hearing damage is more insidious, accumulating over time as a result of repeated exposures to sounds in the hazardous range. Eventually, such sounds can damage the sensitive hair cells of the inner ear as well as the auditory nerve. Hearing becomes muffled or distorted, and other people start to sound as if they're mumbling all the time.
Drown Out Stress
Fortunately, simple steps can help make your life a little quieter and a lot more tranquil. A white noise machine can block out many irritating sounds. Or you can cover the noise with soft, soothing music or a nature sounds CD. Research has shown that listening to pleasant sounds can decrease insomnia, anxiety and depression as well as lower heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate.

It's also important to dial down the decibels on excessively loud noises. "Any time you're standing at arm's length from someone, and you have to shout to be heard over the noise, you should be using hearing protection," says Laurie Wells, MS, president of the National Hearing Conservation Association. Several types of protective earplugs and earmuffs are now available. "Worn correctly," Wells says, "they'll usually bring you back down into that safe-listening zone."

To further reduce your risk, alternate noisy activities with quiet ones and avoid exposing yourself to loud sounds for lengthy periods. Look for noise ratings when buying power tools and household appliances, and choose quieter models. Be aware of noise levels when shopping for children's toys as well. Finally, set aside some time each day to turn off the stereo and television and soak up some peace and quiet. That soft hum you hear might be the sound of your own thoughts.

[baxjul]

Thanks Kim!