Noise Pollution Surges Post Diwali, Doctor Shares Health Risks and Prevention Tips

As Diwali celebration comes to an end, conversations about air pollution take the centre stage. However, what once used to be on the back seat, noise pollution, has also now come under the radar. This festive season has brought an unexpected surge in noise levels across the nation, especially in metropolitan cities like Delhi and Bengaluru. According to data from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Delhi has experienced its noisiest Diwali in the last three years. Over time, noise pollution, often referred to as invisible danger, has turned into a year-round menace, affecting health and overall well-being not just in India but across the world.

Anything in our surroundings that produces unwanted or excessive sound and has harmful effects on human health or the environment is considered noise pollution.

Dr Susheen Dutt, Senior Consultant- ENT, Fortis Hospital, Bengaluru, explains how noise pollution poses serious health risks and ways to minimise its exposure.

What Is Noise Pollution?

Dr Susheen Dutt explains, “Noise pollution refers to unwanted or harmful sound that disrupts normal living and can have serious physiological and psychological effects. Typically, sound above 85 decibels, comparable to heavy city traffic or loud music, can be considered harmful if exposure is prolonged.”

Further explaining the health risks associated with noise pollution he mentions, “Chronic exposure to such noise can elevate stress hormone levels, increase blood pressure, cause sleep disturbances, and mental health disorders, in addition to hearing loss and hypersensitivity to sound.”

Also Read: Hearing Loss In Rural India: Expert Lists The Causes, Challenges, And The Way Forward

Health Risks of Noise Pollution

As explained by Dr Dutt during the discussion, here are six serious health risks that can be caused by noise pollution:

Broken Heart Syndrome

Many do not even realise that noise pollution can significantly affect the heart. According to the expert, prolonged exposure to high noise levels can lead to conditions like takotsubo cardiomyopathy, commonly known as broken heart syndrome, an acute type of heart failure related to chronic stress that activates the hypothalamic-adrenal-pituitary (HPA) axis.

Disturbed Mental Health

Constant exposure to sound triggers the release of stress hormones such as cortisol, leading to increased anxiety, irritability, and tension. This condition disturbs both the conscious and unconscious mind, accelerating the onset of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and emotional fatigue. Noise pollution also disturbs the ability to relax and calm as the brain cells remain in the constant alert mode.

Sleep Disturbance

Noise activates the sympathetic nervous system, causing frequent awakenings and reducing overall sleep time. Among adolescents, poor sleep has been linked to poor mental health, increased substance use, and lower academic performance. If not fixed, sleep deprivation also disturbs the body's recovery process leading to chronic fatigue and reduced productivity.

Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

Loud noise often damages or destroys the nerve endings in the inner ear, with repeated exposure amplifying their destruction. As of now, no procedure has been in public domain to recover these cells, leading to Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), a permanent condition that reduces the ability to hear high frequency sounds. Repeated exposure to any form of sound can also cause tinnitus, a persistent ringing or buzzing sensation in the ears, leaving patients in confusion with several other sounds.

Cardiovascular Diseases Risk

Dr Dutt also shares that long-term exposure to noise has been strongly associated with high blood pressure, heart diseases, and strokes. Persistent sound stimulates the release of stress hormones, which increase heart rate and hypertension, leaving the patient in panic. Over time panic stimulates hypertension which can damage blood vessels worsening the heart health. Often going unnoticed, noise pollution can also worsen diabetes and atherosclerosis

Cognitive Impairment

Noise pollution also adversely affects cognitive functions, reducing attention span, concentration, and memory retention. Uninterrupted exposure to high noise levels disrupts the learning ability, particularly in children and students.

Also Read: Delhi Air Quality Turns ‘Severe’; Expert Shares Effects Of Air Pollution On Human Health

How to Keep Yourself Safe From Noise Pollution

Simple lifestyle choices can make a significant difference in an individual's life. Here are a few prevention tips according to the doctor’s conversation, one can try at home:

• Create a quiet space at home or provide a peaceful corner to rest and recover when needed.
• Use noise-cancelling curtains if needed.
• Reduce household appliance noise such as lowering the television volume.
• Schedule quiet hours for all the family members.
• Incorporate indoor plants or soft furnishings that absorb sound.
• Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques, including yoga and meditation.

Conclusion

In the last decade, noise pollution has become more than just a nuisance, it has become one of the major contributors in the modern health risks. Reducing the noise level around you is the only effective step individuals can take, as noise pollution still lacks adequate attention in policy-making and law enforcement.