Types Of Noise That Can Literally Drive You Crazy

Noise is the enemy of productivity. But what’s even more problematic than noise is how it affects our brains. Some sounds actually have the potential to make you physically ill, while others can impair your ability to concentrate. This makes it important to understand not only what kinds of noises you find most distracting, but also which types of noise are literally driving you (and everyone else) crazy.

Here are some common types of noise that often get under our skin and could be harmful to your mental health:

High-Pitched Frequencies

If you’ve ever been in a construction zone or heard gunfire, you know how hard it is to ignore the high-pitched frequencies that can literally drive you crazy.

The most common noise-induced hearing loss is that caused by exposure to high-pitched frequencies, like the noise from power tools or gunfire. These types of noises can cause permanent damage to the inner ear’s hair cells within minutes of exposure. Your body’s natural defense against these frequencies is to make more wax in the ear canal, which leads to hearing loss over time.

Constant Background Noise

When it comes to noise, there’s a lot to consider.

For example, there’s the kind of noise that keeps you awake at night: the sound of your neighbor’s barking dog or your roommate’s loud music. Then there are the kinds of noises that are hard to avoid in public spaces: the buzz and hum of fluorescent lights or the screech of an airplane overhead.

But there’s another type of noise that can literally drive you crazy,  constant background noise. This is the kind of low-level background noise that’s always there, even when you’re not paying attention to it. It’s like the hum of an air conditioner or the thrum of traffic on the street outside your window or even the sound of your own breathing. It’s always there in the background but it doesn’t usually bother most people too much.

If you have sensitive hearing and your senses are easily overstimulated, constant background noise may be enough to keep you from getting a good night’s sleep or concentrating on work tasks at home or at work.

Noise-induced hearing loss

If you’ve ever been at a concert or a sporting event, you know that hearing loud noises can be damaging. It’s not just the volume of the sound (which is measured in decibels) that matters, but also how long and how often your ears are exposed to it.

Noise-induced hearing loss can also be caused by machinery such as chain saws and lawnmowers. If you work around these types of machines on a regular basis, consider wearing earmuffs or earplugs to protect your ears from being damaged over time.

The good news is that there are things you can do to mitigate this damage. You may want to consider investing in noise-canceling earplugs, such as HearSafe earplugs and HearGreat earplugs if you’re going to be spending time around loud machines or using them whenever you go to concerts or sporting events.

Continuous Exposure To A Single Sound

It’s easy to forget how much time you spend listening to music on your iPod, watching TV, or even just sitting around chatting with friends and family. You may think that listening for just a few minutes at a time won’t do any harm but continuous exposure to anyone sound can be damaging over time. The classic example here is tinnitus, ringing in the ears,  which can be caused by exposure to loud noises over time, leaving some people unable to hear properly at all.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a ringing in the ears that can be caused by exposure to loud noises, age-related hearing loss, or other factors. It’s not a disease,  in fact, it’s often linked to an underlying condition. Tinnitus affects approximately 50 million Americans and is most common among older adults.

Tinnitus also tends to be more common among people who work in noisy environments such as factories or construction sites (so if you work at these types of places and don’t want tinnitus, consider wearing earplugs).

Loud Droning Sounds

Noise-induced hearing loss is a very common problem, especially among people who work in factories, construction sites, or even in an office. It is caused by excessive exposure to loud noises for long periods of time.

Hearing loss does not have to be permanent if you take precautions early on. Loud droning sounds are one of the most common causes of noise-induced hearing loss and can lead to tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and other hearing problems.

The human ear can’t hear sounds below 20 to 25 decibels (dB) or over 120 dB without damage. The average conversation takes place at 60 dB, while the noise level of a normal factory is around 90 dB. When you add all these sounds together, it’s easy to see how quickly your ears can get damaged by loud industrial noises like this one.

Sleep problems

Sleep problems can be caused by a number of factors, including noise. Noise can cause stress, which in turn can make it difficult to sleep. If you’ve ever tried sleeping with someone snoring next to you or wanted to sleep with the window open but been kept awake by all the city traffic below, then you know how annoying and frustrating these situations are.

Sleep problems are also often associated with other factors such as health problems and lifestyle choices (e.g., drinking too much caffeine before bed), making it hard for us to get enough rest at night and feel rested in the morning. If you struggle with getting enough quality sleep on a regular basis, there’s no need to worry: help is available.

Neurological problems

Neurological noise is the most difficult to deal with because it’s not just a physical annoyance. It can cause stress and anxiety, which can lead to depression or memory loss down the line. Noise pollution can also cause headaches, tinnitus (ringing in your ears), and other health issues, all of which are much harder to manage than simple irritation. You might not be able to control every aspect of your life when it comes time for bedtime, but you can at least do what you can.

So what can you do about all this noise?

First, you can try to find a quieter place in your home. If that’s not possible, try wearing noise-canceling earplugs.

If that doesn’t do the trick, go see a doctor who specializes in tinnitus, the ringing in your ears that’s caused by exposure to loud noises. They may be able to recommend treatment options.

Finally, if nothing else works, don’t give up. You can live a happy life even if you have tinnitus or other hearing problems with the right tools and support from friends and family members who understand what it’s like to live with this type of affliction.

Conclusion

We hope this article has been helpful to you in understanding the types of noise that can literally drive you crazy.

If you’re concerned about your hearing health and want to protect yourself from harmful noises, we recommend trying our HearSafe earplugs or Heargreat earplugs. They’re both high fidelity earplugs that can help protect your hearing from the most damaging sounds. We hope you’ll give them a try.