The American Psychological Association found that a steady exposure to noise pollution can induce high blood pressure, cardiac arrest, stress, hypertension, sleep deprivation, immune dysfunction and anxiety. It can also trigger or worsen tinnitus, which already impacts one out of every ten Australians. Children are perhaps the most at risk of sound’s negative side effects, with studies revealing that classrooms on flight paths or near railways reap lower test scores compared to students seated in quieter environments.
A Sydney-based acoustic engineer explained that there’s a direct link between sound and illness, mainly because sound waves cause vibrations that can end up making us sick. Imagine sitting next to a concrete wall with loud music blaring through it – after a while, your body’s reaction may be dizziness, nausea, or severe agitation. Essentially, the effects are similar to those involved in motion sickness.