While most noises are pleasant and at comfortable levels, there are times when noises can be extremely loud and even cause damage. The workplace can be a constant source of high volume distraction, and we usually don't have a choice other than to subject ourselves to it. Sadly, this comes at a significant cost to our health.
The Damaging Workplace Health Effects Noise Can Cause
One common problem that is caused by continuous exposure to loud noise is tinnitus. Tinnitus can be hard to describe, as symptoms vary from person to person. It is generally a sound that may seem to be in one ear or the other, but often feels like it is going straight through both of them. Those who have it describe it as a whistling sound or being similar to the roar of ocean waves. These sounds might be constant or they could come and go. Tinnitus can be permanent or temporary, but either way, it's extremely difficult to focus or live with when it occurs.
It's easy to see how loud noises can cause damage that affects the ears, but it can also cause damage in other ways. When noise becomes too distracting, it makes it hard to concentrate on what you're doing. It can significantly raise blood pressure and cause excess stress. By not being able to hear and follow instructions properly, it can be the source of many workplace mistakes, whether on your computer or interacting with others.
