Becoming Fluent in Silence
I had 2 experiences in the last quarter of 2021 which I’m about to share with you. Firstly, as an instrumentalist I am constantly exposed to sounds coming from the speakers. I had just finished playing a session when I observed that I kept hearing a ringing noise in my ear despite the fact that everywhere became quiet. My second experience was on a weekend when I brought out my writing materials to draft some things and finish up a pending task from the previous day. I found it very difficult to concentrate. As you might have guessed, the entire surrounding was noisy. Two neighbors living opposite had their generator sets turned on (they operate a mini factory) and the kids belonging to the family living upstairs where playing and screaming.
This brings me to the subject of today “Noise Pollution”
Noise surrounds us every day; from dogs barking, the fire engine just down the street from where we live, to people arguing, yelling, talking, rapping, or playing their music too loud etc. Whether we realize we are subjected to it or not, noise pollution can be hazardous to our health in various ways not limited to:
• Hypertension
• Hearing loss
• Sleep disturbances
• Various cardiovascular dysfunctions.
• Dementia
•Psychological dysfunctions and noise annoyance etc.
What is Noise?
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Noise is defined as any sound that is undesired or interferes with one’s hearing. it also refers to any sound lacking agreeable quality and is noticeably unpleasant or loud.
The law in Nigeria which addresses noise pollution is the “National Environmental (Noise Standards and Control) Regulations under the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Establishment Act) 2007.
Decibel (dB)is the unit of measurement of noise. The law bifurcated noise limit areas for 5 areas as displayed below:
Above noise levels are weighted average in the facility over the hours defined for night and day below:
Day — 6:00am — 10:00pm
Night — 10:00pm — 6:00am
The time frame takes into consideration human activity.
Despite the law in place there is still a lack of administrative will to tackle noise pollution. The level of implementation still lives more to be desired in Nigeria. Numerous studies have revealed the effect noise has on the health of humans as well as the impact of noise pollution on animal behavior. It then becomes imperative for us to continue to protect ourselves.
Here are Tips for Avoiding Noise Pollution
Here are some tips to help avoid noise pollution
• Wear earplugs whenever exposed to elevated noise levels
• If possible, choose your residential area as far away from heavy traffic as you can.
• Avoid prolonged use of earphones, especially at elevated sound levels.
• If possible, avoid jobs with regular exposure to elevated sound levels
•Maintain a level of around 35 dB in your bedroom at night, and around 40 dB in your house during the day.
References
http://www.environmentalpollutioncenters.org
standards.lawnigeria.com
https://medium.com/nyaaya/the-deafening-silence-around-noise-pollution-c892e75b258f
