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Pollution Research ProjectNoise Pollution

By Hailey Saunders

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Research Rationale

+Research Rationale

1. Type of research?1. Noise pollution

2. Group Studied?1. Studied sounds heard from day to day, so anyone who

was making noise

3. When Studied?1. Different times of day: morning, afternoon, and night

4. Where studied?1. Different areas in DeWitt: school, home, and outdoors

5. Research conducted?1. Used a decibel meter to record different sounds during

different times of day to find which sounds were loudest

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Research Methods

+Research Methods

1. Recorded sound on a sound meter app where it gave me the highest, lowest, and average amount of decibels the sound gives off

2. Record the range of decibels for that sound

3. Record the equivalent to that amount of decibels, ex: 30 dB is equivalent to a quiet whisper

4. Determine whether that sound is dangerous for your hearing

5. Determine how long it would take to hear that sound to damage your hearing

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Research Results

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Research Results

1. Recorded 13 different sounds and the amount of decibels they contained

2. Categorized them into their equivalent sounds, ex: Factory machinery or busy traffic

3. Determined which sounds could prevent humans from sleeping

4. Then determined of those sounds whether that amount of decibels could cause hearing loss in humans

5. Found how many hours a human could be exposed to that sound before hearing loss occurred

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• The pain threshold is

about 130-140 dB

• Short exposure to a

sound 100 dB or louder

can lead to permanent

hearing loss

• You should wear hearing

protectors for noise 85

dB or louder

• Sleep disruption may

begin at 25-35 dB

+Research Results

Noise dB Disruptive to sleep?

Can cause hearing loss?

Freshmen hallway

73-90 Yes At it’s loudest, yes

Chinese class 41-54 Yes No

Music in headphones (loud)

79-92 Yes Yes

Music in headphones (quiet)

51-61 Yes No

Art Class 55-65 Yes No

Thomas yelling

95 Yes Yes

My house Saturday (morning)

34-56 Not really No

+Research Results

Noise dB Disruptive to sleep?

Can cause hearing loss?

My house Saturday (afternoon)

50-84 Yes No

Bus on the way to a track meet

79-89 Yes At its loudest, yes

Bus on the way home from track meet

65-76 The natural noise of the bus is

No

Vacuum 88-90 Yes Yes

Lawn mower 89-90 Yes Yes

Train 85-95 Yes, especially the horn

Yes, mainly the horn

+Research Analysis

+Research Analysis

Noise Can cause hearing damage?

How long before hearing damage occurs?

Lawn mower Yes 3 hours

Vacuum Yes 2 hours 45 minutes

Bus on the way to a track meet

Sort of 4-5 hours

Freshmen hallway Sort of 4-5 hours

Thomas yelling Yes 1 hour

Train Yes, mainly the horn 1 hour

Music in headphones (loud)

Yes 1 hour

+Research Analysis

1. Nearly every sound recorded can cause sleep disruption

2. 7 of the sounds recorded can cause hearing loss.

3. Many of those sounds are heard on a day to day basis

4. Tinnitus, which is described as somewhat of a sunburn of hearing, can warn you to possible damage to the auditory system

1. It is described as a ringing, whooshing, or buzzing in the ears

5. Many of these sounds can cause tinnitus or hearing loss if ear protection isn’t used

6. Noise induced hearing loss can occur from a short blast of a gun, or a prolonged exposure to something like a rock concert

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Expert Testimony

Elliott H. Berger

Laurie Wells

+Expert Testimony

“Estimates suggest that from 6-17% of the population, or perhaps as many as 50 million Americans, have tinnitus.”

“Exposure to loud noise is one of the most common causes of hearing loss and chronic tinnitus.”

“Generally speaking, the louder the noise and the longer the time of exposure, the greater the risk for hearing damage (noise-induced hearing loss) and its common side effect: tinnitus.”

+Expert Testimony Cont.

“You should use hearing protection whenever it is so loud you must shout in order for the person next to you to hear you clearly.”

“Basic types of hearing protectors are “roll-down” foam earplugs, push-to-fit foam earplugs, flanged or premolded earplugs, custom-made earplugs, “banded” earplugs and earmuffs”

All quotes from (“Tinnitus and Hearing Protection: Fiction and Fact”).

+Citations Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Definition." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for

Medical Education and Research, 23 Aug. 2011. Web. 27 Apr. 2013.

"Dangerous Decibels - A Public Health Partnership for Prevention of Noise-induced Hearing Loss and Tinnitus." Dangerous Decibels Hearing Loss Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2013.

Berger, E. H. "Does Loud Music During Exercise Affect Hearing?" E•A•R / Aearo Company (2003): n. pag. Web. 28 Apr. 2013. <http://www.e-a-r.com/pdf/hearingcons/MusicandExer.pdf>.

"E-A-R® Hearing Conservation : FAQs." E-A-R® Hearing Conservation : FAQs. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2013.

Berger, Elliot H., and Laurie L. Wells. Tinnitus and Hearing Protection: Fiction and Fact. Digital image. Job Health Highlights. N.p., Mar. 2011. Web. 28 Apr. 2013. <http://www.e-a-r.com/pdf/hearingcons/T10-15%20Tinnitus%20and%20HPs%203.5.pdf>.