The impact of noise on the psychological development of man

Abstract

Theoretical and empiric research results prove that noise harms not only physical but also mental health of people. Long exposition to strong noise provokes inner tension and anxiety, which often leads to damage of organ of hearing. The consequences of noise are obvious in neuro-vegetative disorder. People exposed to the noise, which is beyond possibilities of their organ of hearing, show weariness, insomnia and anxious dreams, poor concentration and spiritual absence. Psychologists indicate on a zone of normal hearing, which is expressed in decibels. The zone of hearing is different for speech and music. Pain comes beyond 100 decibels and exposure to stronger noise leads to deafness. The photos presented show: the structure of organ of hearing, the process of sound spreading from a source until its meaning is identified in the brain cortex and decibel scales with examples of characteristic sound sources. Research show that there are individual differences in adapting to noise. Some people adapt quickly, other slowly, but some people cannot adapt to noise at all. However, it does not mean that noise is not harmful even to those ones who claim that noise does not disturb them, especially when it is strong, long and intermittent. The paper determines a need for protection against noise, because, in our time, it is one of realistic dangers to human’s physical and mental health. The text points out a need for skilled application of technical and psycho-physiological measures.