Frequently Asked Questions
The SBG has compiled the most common questions and answers in regards to noise and noise pollution below.
If your question is not listed, please submit your inquiry via our Contact Form
If your question is not listed, please submit your inquiry via our Contact Form
• What is noise?
Noise is defined as unwanted sound. A sound might be unwanted because it is loud, distracting, or annoying. The word "noise" descends from the Latin word "nausea," meaning seasickness, or, more generally, any similar sensation of disgust, annoyance, or discomfort.
• What is noise pollution?
Noise pollution refers to sounds in the environment that are caused by humans and that threaten the health or welfare of human or animal inhabitants. Noise pollution is not easy to measure, because the very definition of noise depends on the context of the sound and the subjective effect it has on the people hearing it. One person's idea of exultant, joyful music might be another person's pure torment.
• How is noise measured?
Literally speaking, noise can't be measured directly, since there is no instrument for objectively detecting how "unwanted" something is. What can be measured is the loudness or intensity of sounds, sometimes called "noise levels." Sound intensity is usually measured in decibels (dB) through the use of a sound level meter.
• What are typical decibel levels of some common sounds?
A whisper is 30 dB, conversational speech is 60 dB, and someone shouting at you from an arm's length away is 85 dB. Noise levels of home appliances range from 50 dB (a refrigerator) to 95 dB (a food processor). Lawn equipment and power tools have noise levels of 80–120 dB.
• How many decibels can the human ear handle?
Immediate and irreversible nerve damage can be caused by sounds at 140 dB or higher (120 dB in young children). However, damage also occurs at lower sound levels, and this harm accumulates over time. Any sound above 85 dB can cause wear and tear on your ears that reduces your hearing acuity over time.
• What problems does noise pollution cause for people?
The World Health Organization cites seven categories for the ways noise adversely affects human health:
1. Noise-induced hearing impairment 2. Interference with speech communication 3. Sleep disturbances 4. Cardiovascular and physiological effects 5. Mental health effects 6. Effects on performance of tasks 7. Annoyance and effects on behavior • How does noise affect babies and children?
Because the ear canal of a young child is smaller than an adult's, sound pressure is up to 20 dB greater than that in an adult ear. In addition to the threat to a child's hearing, noise causes physiological and mental stress, and significantly impacts learning and cognitive development. Background noise also interferes with speech perception and language acquisition.
• What are the laws regarding noise pollution?
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• What should I do about a noise problem?
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• How do I make a noise complaint?
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• What happens to my complaint?
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