Turn Down the Volume

Think noise is just a minor annoyance? Think again.

Studies show direct correlations between noise and health, which is a good reason to open your ears to the reality of noise pollution in your own workplace.

According to the EPA, noise has been linked to a variety of health problems, including stress-related illnesses, high blood pressure, speech interference, hearing loss, sleep disruption, and lost productivity.

Noises of all kinds mingle in the average office environment. Some of them, such as the ringing of phones, chatting of employees, or hum of the printer, are generally low-level and can be tolerated or adapted to by many people.

However, sensitivity to noise varies widely among individuals.

For those who are less able to tune out distractions around them, these types of noises may contribute to chronic stress and hamper productivity.

And then there are people whose work requires them to be exposed to constant or high levels of noise from heavy machinery or other equipment. On top of the various effects of chronic noise-induced stress, they risk damaging their hearing, as well.

What you can do: