Palejowe ABC - NOISE

Each of us has a different sensitivity to sound. What is a pleasant buzz for some will be unbearable for others. That's why it's a good idea to look at yourself and your children to see if we react similarly in this regard, or if we perceive sounds differently. Understanding how we react to certain sounds will help avoid some of the conflicts and misunderstandings.

Of course, despite the differences in our sensitivity to sound, we have objective data showing what intensity is harmful to human hearing. For the sake of simplicity, we can assume that if we can't hear clearly what a speaker standing close to us is saying to us, and we ourselves have to raise our voice for him to hear us, this means that the noise level is already detrimental to our health.

It's hard to escape from noise these days, especially for those living in cities. Those unfortunate enough to live next to a busy road or airport are well aware of how bothersome the sounds of vehicles are, which do not quiet down even in the middle of the night. Then there's the annoying noise of lawnmowers outside the window, endless renovations in the apartment next door, honking cars, vehicles running signals and dogs barking in the neighborhood. However, harmful noise is not only external sounds. Our hearing and well-being are equally adversely affected by loud and constant or frequent and unexpected sounds in our homes: music that is too loud, the TV on, the vacuum cleaner or blender....

Excessive sounds in our environment are a powerful stressor for our bodies. And as more and more people live in noisy parts of the world, researchers have looked into the subject to see how being around noise affects people. They came to the sad conclusion that there is a link between noise and increased anxiety, depression, high blood pressure and heart disease. Obvious side effects of noise include tinnitus and hearing deterioration. It also appears that intense sounds affect children's cognitive development. Ambient noises distract children from whatever they are doing at the time, and thus negatively affect their ability to focus and even their speech development and learning to read. This happens, among other things, because noise interferes with the correct hearing of certain sounds, and thus hinders children's ability to correctly master speech.

To help children ensure proper development and well-being, it's worth regulating the volume of noise in their environment. Staying for a long time in rooms that are constantly noisy can lead to irritation, nervousness and more frequent outbursts of anger in children (in adults, too!).

The various sounds we hear in the evening and at night in the apartment make it difficult to fall asleep, and subsequently contribute to the fact that sleep may not be as restorative as it should be. The sense of hearing is very sensitive to sudden sounds. This is to take care of our safety. Therefore, even when we are asleep, our brain uses our ears to monitor our surroundings and check for approaching danger. The moment the sound of a passing motorcycle, an ambulance or an airplane flying over the house reaches our ears, we wake up (although we won't remember it in the morning). A number of changes take place in our body to prepare us to fight or flee from potential danger. This state of arousal does not affect sleep positively. Its quality and depth decrease, and as a result we stop getting enough sleep. It is exposure to night noise that can be one of the reasons why a person, despite having slept 8-9 hours, does not feel rested.

And while this all sounds rather frightening, we don't have to passively endure the noise. It happens to each of us that we find ourselves in a noisy environment. If we or our loved ones are extremely sensitive to loud noises, it's a good idea to have noise-canceling headphones or the simplest earplugs at hand. If, on the other hand, we want to reduce the noise level in our immediate surroundings, we should try to turn off the TV and radio whenever possible. On balconies and in gardens we can plant taller shrubs or trees, which over time will help dampen unwanted noises. Awareness of the harmfulness of noise is constantly growing, so there are more and more options on the market that can help us quiet the house. Blinds or curtains will not only protect us from annoying light from behind the window, but also reduce noise. Special seals that can be installed in door thresholds are also a good and inexpensive option. And when it so happens that we stay all day with children, who happen to be having a worse day and have been screaming since the morning, do not hesitate to lock ourselves in the bathroom for a few minutes and try to find tranquility there. Cutting ourselves off from stimuli that weigh us down and unsettle us too much will help us return to balance. In turn, when shopping, let's pay attention to stores that have introduced so-called "quiet hours." These are aimed primarily at people with an autism diagnosis, to make it easier for them to function in a place full of various stimuli. However, such good practices would be worth implementing on a daily basis, for the benefit of all people.

Being in silence and savoring it is something to be learned and enjoyed as often as possible. This will benefit not only parents, but also children. Silence helps to concentrate on the tasks at hand and to do them more accurately and correctly. It helps to calm and quiet down. In addition, it is easier for us to focus on our own feelings, emotions and body sensations. Not everyone likes this, so it can be tempting to suppress our own thoughts or experienced emotions with music or the TV playing in the background. Such strategies are effective in distracting us and can sometimes be helpful. Sometimes, however, they move us further away from solving the problem. Silence gives us time to think. And while it can sometimes be awkward, it's worth learning to dwell in it and not try to puzzle it out by force. It is often in silence that the best ideas are born.

And once you've settled into your home comfort, think together with your children about activities and games that will give your ears a rest. Try out different ideas to find the ones that work best for you. Perhaps it will be puzzles, drawing together, looking at the starry sky or listening to the sounds of silence or your breathing. The latter is worth trying especially before bedtime!

Schmidt F.P. et al.(2013) Effect of nighttime aircraft noise exposure on endothelial function and stress hormone release in healthy adults, European Heart Journal

Chepesiuk R. (2005) Decibel Hell: The Effects of Living in a Noisy World, Environmental Health Perspectives

Hammer M.S., Swinburn T.K., R.L. Neitzel (2013), Environmental Noise Pollution in the United States: Developing an Effective Public Health Response, Environmental Health Perspectives

Buxton O.M. et al. (2012), Sleep Disruption due to Hospital Noises, Annals of Internal Medicine