Horrifying facts
Under the aegis of a non –governmental agency called society to Aid hearing impaired (SAHI), a device called pure tone Audio graph has been developed. The device can generate frequencies from 250 to 8000 kilohertz. All the frequency of 4000 kilohertz the device displays a curve. This can help determine whether a hearing problem has been caused due natural of artificial reasons. A test conducted on a hundred traffic policemen revealed that seventy-six of them were suffering from hearing impairment.
In most big cities, people are suffering from psychological trauma. Palpitations, hypertension and high blood pressure due to noise pollution, According to psychologists, noise pollution affects the children and the aged, the most. With increasing noise levels, there is a danger that blood pressure, nervous disorders and depression will became common in the future.
Cinema theaters and noise pollution
Cinema theaters are for our entertainment but they should not threaten our hearing abilities. The noise limit in theatres is 85 decibels. If the noise is more than tolerable, we may suffer partial bearing impairment. Theaters should not be permitted to function at places like crossroads where the noise is already high. Nor should they be allowed near educational institutions, hospitals and other places where silences should be maintained. That is why legally they are prohibited to function at such zones, and we must build up public opinion to implement the prohibition.
Noise affects concentration
It tires, annoys, irritates, disgusts us and affects our blood pressure. The secretion of saliva increases as also the section of other digestive juice. Industrial workers, who are exposed to high noise levels continuously, always have high blood pressure.
The effects on hearing due to noise pollution may be limited to a few days sometimes. This is called as temporary threshold shift. It may also have permanent effects, which is described as permanent threshold shift.
People who are subjected to loud noise may lose hearing partially or completely. Permanent loss of hearing is called deafness, while shift in hearing is called partial threshold shift. It also affects the functioning of the heart. Noise has serve impact on the sick, the old, the new born, mulch cattle and the birds. The cacophonous music played during marriages, the bursting of crackers and the deafening of traffic has all combined to make modern life noisy and difficult.
Excess of noise is called noise pollution. Presently, it is at high levels. We should make silence our culture and give up noise. Religion or tradition may be the source of knowledge, but we must understand that our times have no place for this deafening noise in the name of religion. In large cities like Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, and Vijayawada where the traffic is heavy, the noise levels are above 90 decibels, which is far higher than the tolerable limit.
Alarming figures
The following are some important points found in the survey conducted by the pollution control board in Hyderabad.
• Punjagutta has a noise level of 80-85 decibels.
• Paradise center has a noise level of 80-85 decibels.
• Around the Zoo Park, noise levels reach 68-72 decibels.
• In Abids the level is between 80- 95 decibels.
• At Charminar it is between 80- 90 decibels.
Noise pollution some limits and facts
• Humans can hear only up to 60-65 decibels without damage to the ears.
• Noise- induced hearing impairment is called noise induced sensorial hearing loss (NIHC).
• When one is subjected to sound of 80 or more decibels for an extended period of time, hearing problems are sure to occur.
• Only dogs and cats can bear more noise.