HOW LOUD NOISE AFFECTS US
We all know how noisy life is today, especially in cities. Noise comes from many sources, such as traffic on the roads and children playing. These constant loud noises are called "noise pollution." Noise pollution is very unpleasant. According to research, it can also have serious effects on our lives.(lines 1–3)
We often suffer from noise pollution 24 hours a day. At night, it prevents us from getting enough sleep. When we are tired, we might not be able to concentrate at school or at work. We can also become angry easily, and this can damage our relationships with family and friends. In addition, people who don’t sleep well for weeks or months suffer from stress. Scientists now know that stress can cause health problems, such as heart disease.(lines 4–11)
High levels of noise can also damage our hearing. The damage can begin when we are children. Teenagers often listen to very loud music, and this can cause loss of hearing when they are adults. Some people can also have hearing problems because they use noisy machines at work. Of course, loss of hearing makes it difficult to communicate. This too can have a negative effect on relationships.(lines 12–15)
Despite all these problems, nobody is doing much to stop noise pollution. "That’s because most people don’t understand how dangerous noise pollution is. But this can change," says Mr. Henry Freeman, head of the organization Stop That Noise. "Just think about smoking. For a long time, we didn’t realize how dangerous smoking is. But when we understood its effects on our health, many of us stopped smoking. In addition, governments have made laws to stop people from smoking in many public places like offices, restaurants and shops. We need the same things to happen for noise pollution. That will make life better for everyone."(lines 16–22)