What Are the Possible Immediate Effects of Intrusive Noise?

Repetitive, intrusive noise in urban environments often prevents victims from concentrating on normal home activities such as quiet reading, watching television programs, communicating with family members, and studying or enjoying creative activities.

One of the most serious effects of intrusive residential noise is sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation leads to reduced work output following intrusive noise events, dangerous driving, and strained family relationships.

How Does Noise Affect our Hearing?

Noise-induced hearing impediment is by no means restricted to occupational situations - noise levels associated with impairment are experienced at open-air concerts, nightclubs, motor sports events, etc.

The World Health Organisation has published the following table:-

* The ear has different sensitivities to different frequencies, being least sensitive to extremely high and extremely low frequencies.

NOISE-INDUCED HEARING IMPEDIMENT IS PREVENTABLE.

What Are the Main Sources of Unnecessary Noise?

In the State of Tasmania, about 4,000 complaints are received each year by the responsible authorities. About 48% of these are noise complaints, the highest percentage by far. This tells us something. Of this 48% of complaints, an amazing 62% is about barking dogs. This tells us even more. The other main source of unwanted noise pollution is generated by the unrestricted use of sound systems, electrical and internal combustion powered appliances and unnecessarily loud vehicles. Of course, there are the hidden statistics of noise cases which are unreported for various reasons.

What Do We Want?

We want our homes to be havens from unwanted noise, and we ask that our soundscape of our public spaces - which is common property, like the air we breathe - be respected.

We expect authorities to quickly and effectively halt the intrusion of unwanted noise into our homes.