Noise pollution
Noise pollution is excessive or unwanted sound that disrupts activities, harms health, or adversely affects wildlife and ecosystems.
Noise-induced hearing loss: Permanent hearing impairment caused by damage from excessive sound exposure. Loud sound can injure the inner ear, especially with repeated or prolonged exposure.
Sound pressure level: A logarithmic measure of sound pressure relative to a reference pressure, usually expressed in decibels. It quantifies sound intensity, though it does not alone capture duration or annoyance.
Environmental noise measurement: The assessment of outdoor sound levels using standardized instruments, metrics, and sampling methods. Measurements identify where exposure is high and whether interventions reduce it.
Road traffic noise: Environmental sound generated by motor vehicles, including engines, tires, and airflow. Road traffic is a widespread and persistent source of community noise.
Noise control: The reduction or management of unwanted sound through changes to sources, paths, or receiving spaces. It is the practical response to noise pollution rather than the condition itself.
Sleep deprivation: A condition in which insufficient sleep impairs physical, cognitive, or emotional functioning. Nighttime noise can fragment sleep even when it does not fully awaken a person.
A-weighting: A frequency weighting that adjusts sound measurements to approximate human hearing sensitivity. Environmental noise levels are commonly reported in A-weighted decibels.
Noise mapping: The spatial modeling or display of sound levels across a geographic area. Maps reveal population exposure patterns and help prioritize mitigation.
Aircraft noise: Sound produced by aircraft operations, including takeoff, landing, and flight. Airport activity can expose nearby communities to intense, recurring noise.
Soundscape: The acoustic environment as perceived, experienced, or understood by people in context. A soundscape can include wanted sounds, while noise pollution focuses on harmful or disruptive sound.