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background noise, can over a long
period cause heari ng loss ranging
from slight to total deafness.
. But excessive noise does more
l han damage the delicate hearing
mechanism. lt has been found to
affect the nervous system, the
endocrine system, the stomach. and ·
emotions.
l
ikewise there is indica–
tion that noise adversely affects the
heart and · blood vessels, causing
• higl) blo9d pressure and an increase
of the cholesterol leve!.
Sudden noise, suc h as a car back–
firing or · fireworks, can cause a
jump in pulse rates and blood pres–
su re, muscular contractions and
changes in the flow of digest ive
juices. Noise sets nerves on edge. It
produces stress emot ionally and
physical ly:
Jt is becoming increasingly rec–
ognized that the noises of civiliza–
tion are par tly responsible for the
diseases of civilizat ion. S'till, sorne
people, more often than not young
people•. enjoy
nois~at
least they
think they enjoy it. But chances are
they·ve known nothing els'e. To
them noise is often synonymous
with power. A loud motorcycle or
au tomobile says, " Look at my
power, everybody!" and in sorne
cases even serves as a kind of mat–
ing ·call. ·
The deafening (liter-
ally!) audio -leve! at
which disco or rock
muste tS usually
played has an actual
physical impact on
the body. · While· it
may be int er–
preted as bei ng
powerful and desir–
able, it is far from
that. Dr. Carlin said
he went ro a disco
with tw<_) deaf friends.
" 1 was goi ng to . tcll
them 1 had to leave
because the noise
was hu rti ng.
They left
first be-
Noise sets nerves on
edge.
lt
produces .
stress emotionally and
physically.
cause the decibel count was so:higñ
they felt pain in major organs of ·
t hei r body
[sic)
a lthough t hey
could not hear."
· Young or o ld, we are victims of
more than the noise we t:an hear.
Many, mac hin es produce noise
above or below the range of human ·
hearing. Even though our ears can–
not pick up these noises, they too
may affect t he body, bringing
about such symptoms as headaches,
nausea, loss· o f .equi librium and
fatigue. ·
What
Can You Do?
Unless you attempt to flee to the
· country, miles from ciyilization,
foregoing all of its loud
gadgets, you cannot
compl etely escape
harm'ful noise. But to
· sorne degree you can
le ssen its effects·..
Here are sorne of the
recomme.ndations· óf
various experts who have
studied the problem of
noise pollution:
1) Avoid wherever pos–
sible subjecting yourself to
loud noise. ·
2) Keep background.
noise to a mínimum.
3) Keep doors and win–
dows closed when there is
a lot of outside noise.
4) Use heavier drapcr–
ies, weather stripping
and other noise deaden–
ing materials.
5) Have ear plugs
available for use when
rteeded.
There are laws on
the books in many
areas that, if en–
forced, would cut
down on sorne
noise. En force-
._._.,.,.
ment, however,
is a problem. The police are too
busy chasing criminals to answer a
"loud stereo" complaint. The
reply one police department
gav~
demonstr a ted its fru st r atio n .
When a caller complained because
a neighbor had
se~
up an ampli–
fied drum set in his ba,ckyard, the
police o f ficer asked, " What do
you wan t ·us to do about it ?"
" Well ," the- caller r ema r ked,
"can't you get him for disturbing·
' the peace?" 'To which the police–
man responded , " He's not d isturb–
ing
our
peace!" ·
T he real solut ion to the noise
problem involves a fundamental
change in the way society func–
tions. Speaking about the harmful
effects of rroise, Dr. Carlin stated,
" Adults should know better, bu t it
is· t he• chi ldren 1 wor ry about.
'with the loud music, the other
noise pollution, the future doesn't
look good for them unless their
values are turned aroi.tnd."
T.he values of the whole wor ld do .
need to be turned arouhd. So much
·:
needless stress from noise could be
eliminated. ir' people would just be
considerate of others. .Keeping the
stereo turned down, keeping the
dog quiet
1
not honking ·the horn or
squeal ing the tires without ceason,
not revving the é ngine. Just plain
unselfish consideration. R are in
this world.
·
The other basic step in solving
the problem is to eliminate harm–
ful noises at their point of origin
' by designing products and using
proced~res
that do not exceed
realistic, enforced noise level stan–
dards.
That's the way it will be in the
world tomorrow. When society is
set up to run God's way, there
will b e though tful planning
against injurious side effects from
human endeavors. There will be
plenty of joyful sounds, b4t nerve–
racking, harmful noise will no
longer be a factor in people's
lives.
God describes ' that time this
way: "The wark of righteousness
shall be peace; a nd the effect of
righteousness quietness and assur–
ance for ever. And my people
shall dwe ll in a peaceable habita–
tion, a nd in sure dwellings, and in
quiet resting places" (Isa. 32:17-
18).
o
The
PLAIN TRUTH