What Are the Impacts of Noise Pollution on You, and How Do You Improve It?

Noise pollution is a growing problem amid rapid urbanization. You may not always realize it, but several types of noise pollution penetrate your residence and significantly affect your health and well-being. It’s essential to understand the sources of noise pollution in your area and take the necessary measures to protect yourself at home. 

What Is Noise Pollution?

You can’t see noise pollution — sometimes, it’s so faint that it’s almost unnoticeable. However, its presence can be disturbing and harmful to humans and other living things. You hear sounds in decibels — leaves on the ground emit 20-30 decibels, while an ambulance siren is 120-140 decibels. 

Sound is most harmful to your hearing when it reaches 85 decibels. Familiar sources of noise pollution at this level include lawnmowers, subway trains and loud concerts. The sound could result in hearing loss, high blood pressure, heart problems and stress. If you live in a city, in particular, the constant drumming of construction, traffic and people can cause sleep deprivation and insomnia.

Noise can infiltrate your home and become a nuisance. Studies show people living in low-income neighborhoods and people of color are often exposed to noise pollution the most. Sometimes, the noise comes directly from the inside. 

The Best Home Solutions for Noise Pollution 

Preventing loud noise at home is much easier than you think. In fact, you don’t always have to make significant changes or investments to implement the best solutions for noise pollution. Here are five things you can do to make your household quieter and improve your health. 

1. Use Soundproofing Materials

You can use various soundproofing materials to control noise pollution at home. For instance, you might install acoustic panels to absorb sound and echoes in multiple rooms. While these are usually found in home theaters and music studios, they can be incorporated into the interior design of your bedroom.

Insulation is also important for reducing acoustics and external noise. If it’s been a while since your home was insulated, you should re-insulate the walls, floors and ceilings with fiberglass, cellulose or foam insulation. Not only will this reduce noise pollution in your house, but it’ll also improve your home’s energy efficiency and thermal comfort.

Likewise, you could upgrade your roof to clay tiles or rubber materials since conventional metal and asphalt shingles tend to transmit more noise. This is an expensive investment, though, so you may choose to wait until your existing roof reaches the end of its life span.

4. Maintain Appliances

Older and worn appliances can make a lot of noise, from screeching to rumbling and hissing. Maintaining them regularly is essential to ensure they are in working order at all times. For example, an HVAC unit may rattle, vibrate or clank around if the air filter needs replacing. In fact, changing the air filter improves efficiency by 15% and significantly reduces noise. 

Remember to check other household appliances, too. When they need repairs, an older refrigerator, dishwasher and laundry unit can create a lot of noise pollution. 

3. Lay Carpets and Rugs

Do you have hardwood floors or tiles throughout your house? Although beautiful, these design choices may create a reverberating echo. Laying carpeting or rugs in different rooms can trap 35% of soundwaves, decreasing external echoes and muffling noises.

Rugs add depth to your interior design and give your feet a soft place to land when you step out of bed or the shower. Consider something soft and fluffy to absorb as much noise as possible. Because rugs come in many different shapes, sizes, colors, textures and piles, you can find ones that truly match your style. 

4. Keep Windows and Doors Closed

Some of the loudest decibels penetrate your house from the outside. Therefore, the most straightforward noise pollution control is closing your windows and doors. 

If you live in an older house, you may want to invest in newer window models that are more secure in the frame. Likewise, weatherstripping is a simple do-it-yourself project you can complete over the weekend, helping to seal gaps around windows and doors and lessen noise transmission.

5. Plant Trees and Bushes

Don’t neglect your landscaping when finding solutions for noise pollution around the house. Studies show vegetation along roadways in metropolitan areas can reduce traffic noise by 10%–24% — significant if you live on a busy street.

The correct approach to this technique is to place low-growing plants closest to the noise with taller species behind them. A third row of flowering or fruit tree vegetation will provide an extra barrier between the street and your house. Some of the best noise-blocking plants and trees include viburnum, holly, yew, wax myrtle and Southern magnolia.

Combat the Sources of Noise Pollution at Home for Greater Well-Being

Your home should be a haven for your hearing health. Therefore, preventing noise pollution should be a top priority. Just a few changes — from maintaining your appliances to insulating — can make a significant difference and protect your household from the damaging effects of continuous sound.