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Noise

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This article is about noise as an unwanted acoustic phenomenon. For the general signal
phenomenon, see Noise (spectral phenomenon). For other uses, see Noise (disambiguation).

NASA researchers at Glenn Research Center conducting


tests on aircraft engine noise in 1967
Noise is unwanted sound considered unpleasant, loud or disruptive to hearing. From a
physics standpoint, noise is indistinguishable from desired sound, as both
are vibrations through a medium, such as air or water. The difference arises when the
[1][2]
brain receives and perceives a sound.
Acoustic noise is any sound in the acoustic domain, either deliberate (e.g., music or
speech) or unintended. In contrast, noise in electronics may not be audible to the
[3]
human ear and may require instruments for detection.
In audio engineering, noise can refer to the unwanted residual electronic noise signal
that gives rise to acoustic noise heard as a hiss. This signal noise is commonly
[4] [5]
measured using A-weighting  or ITU-R 468 weighting.
In experimental sciences, noise can refer to any random fluctuations of data that
[6][7]
hinders perception of a signal.
Contents
 1Measurement
 2Recording and reproduction
 3Environmental noise
 4Regulation
o 4.1United States
o 4.2Europe
 5Health effects
o 5.1Hearing loss prevention
 6Literary views
 7See also
 8References
 9Further reading
 10External links
Measurement[edit]
Sound is measured based on the amplitude and frequency of a sound wave. Amplitude
measures how forceful the wave is. The energy in a sound wave is measured
in decibels (dB), the measure of loudness, or intensity of a sound; this measurement
describes the amplitude of a sound wave. Decibels are expressed in a logarithmic
scale. On the other hand, pitch describes the frequency of a sound and is measured
[8]
in hertz (Hz).
The main instrument to measure sounds in the air is the Sound Level Meter. There are
many different varieties of instruments that are used to measure noise - Noise
Dosimeters are often used in occupational environments, noise monitors are used to
measure environmental noise and noise pollution, and recently smartphone-based
[9]
sound level meter applications (apps)  are being used to crowdsource and map
[10][11][12]
recreational and community noise.
A-weighting is applied to a sound spectrum to represent the sound that humans are
capable of hearing at each frequency. Sound pressure is thus expressed in terms of
dBA. 0 dBA is the softest level that a person can hear. Normal speaking voices are
around 65 dBA. A rock concert can be about 120 dBA.

Recording and reproduction[edit]


In audio, recording, and broadcast systems, audio noise refers to the residual low-level
sound (four major types: hiss, rumble, crackle, and hum) that is heard in quiet periods of
program. This variation from the expected pure sound or silence can be caused by the
[13]
audio recording equipment, the instrument, or ambient noise in the recording room.
In audio engineering it can refer either to the acoustic noise from loudspeakers or to the
unwanted residual electronic noise signal that gives rise to acoustic noise heard as hiss.
This signal noise is commonly measured using A-weighting or ITU-R 468 weighting
Noise is often generated deliberately and used as a test signal for audio recording and
reproduction equipment.

Environmental noise[edit]
Main article: Environmental noise

Environmental noise is the accumulation of all noise present in a specified environment.


The principal sources of environmental noise are surface motor vehicles, aircraft, trains
[14]
and industrial sources.  These noise sources expose millions of people to noise
pollution that creates not only annoyance, but also significant health consequences
[15]
such as elevated incidence of hearing loss and cardiovascular disease.  Urban noise
is generally not of an intensity that causes hearing loss but it interrupts sleep, disturbs
[16]
communication and interferes with other human activities.  There are a variety of
mitigation strategies and controls available to reduce sound levels including source
intensity reduction, land-use planning strategies, noise barriers and sound baffles, time
of day use regimens, vehicle operational controls and architectural acoustics design
measures.

Regulation[edit]
Main article: Noise regulation

Certain geographic areas or specific occupations may be at a higher risk of being


exposed to constantly high levels of noise; regulation may prevent negative health
outcomes. Noise regulation includes statutes or guidelines relating to sound
transmission established by national, state or provincial and municipal levels of
government. Environmental noise is governed by laws and standards which set
maximum recommended levels of noise for specific land uses, such as residential
areas, areas of outstanding natural beauty, or schools. These standards usually specify
[17][18]
measurement using a weighting filter, most often A-weighting.
United States[edit]
In 1972, the Noise Control Act was passed to promote a healthy living environment for
all Americans, where noise does not pose a threat to human health. This policy's main
objectives were: (1) establish coordination of research in the area of noise control, (2)
establish federal standards on noise emission for commercial products, and (3) promote
[19][20]
public awareness about noise emission and reduction.
The Quiet Communities Act of 1978 promotes noise control programs at the state and
[21]
local level and developed a research program on noise control.  Both laws authorized
the Environmental Protection Agency to study the effects of noise and evaluate
[22]
regulations regarding noise control.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides
[23][24]
recommendation on noise exposure in the workplace.  In 1972 (revised in 1998),
NIOSH published a document outlining recommended standards relating to the
occupational exposure to noise, with the purpose of reducing the risk of developing
[25]
permanent hearing loss related to exposure at work.  This publication set the
recommended exposure limit (REL) of noise in an occupation setting to 85 dBA for 8
hours using a 3-dB exchange rate (every 3-dB increase in level, duration of exposure
should be cut in half, i.e., 88 dBA for 4 hours, 91 dBA for 2 hours, 94 dBA for 1 hour,
etc.). However, in 1973 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
maintained the requirement of an 8-hour average of 90 dBA. The following year, OSHA
required employers to provide a hearing conservation program to workers exposed to
[26]
85 dBA average 8-hour workdays.
Europe[edit]
The European Environment Agency regulates noise control and surveillance within
[27]
the European Union.  The Environmental Noise Directive was set to determine levels
of noise exposure, increase public access to information regarding environmental noise,
[28][29]
and reduce environmental noise.  Additionally, in the European Union, underwater
noise is a pollutant according to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).
[30]
 The MSFD requires EU Member States to achieve or maintain Good Environmental
Status, meaning that the "introduction of energy, including underwater noise, is at levels
[30]
that do not adversely affect the marine environment".

Health effects[edit]
Main articles: Health effects from noise and Noise-induced hearing loss
Earplugs can be used to protect the user's ears from
loud noises.
Exposure to noise is associated with several negative health outcomes. Depending on
duration and level of exposure, noise may cause or increase the likelihood of hearing
loss, high blood pressure, ischemic heart disease, sleep disturbances, injuries, and
[31]
even decreased school performance.  There are also causal relationships between
noise and psychological effects such as annoyance, psychiatric disorders, and effects
[31]
on psychosocial well-being.
Noise exposure has increasingly been identified as a public health issue, especially in
an occupational setting, as demonstrated with the creation of NIOSH's Noise and
[32]
Hearing Loss Prevention program.  Noise has also proven to be an occupational
[33]
hazard, as it is the most common work-related pollutant.  Noise-induced hearing loss,
when associated with noise exposure at the workplace is also called occupational
hearing loss.
Hearing loss prevention[edit]
[34]
While noise-induced hearing loss is permanent, it is also preventable.  Particularly in
the workplace, regulations may exist limiting permissible exposure limit to noise. This
can be especially important for professionals working in settings with consistent
exposure to loud sounds, such as musicians, music teachers and audio engineers.
[35]
 Examples of measures taken to prevent noise-induced hearing loss in the workplace
[36][37]
include engineering noise control, the Buy-Quiet initiative,  creation of the Safe-In-
[38]
Sound award, and noise surveillance.

Literary views[edit]
Roland Barthes distinguishes between physiological noise, which is merely heard,
and psychological noise, which is actively listened to. Physiological noise is felt
subconsciously as the vibrations of the noise (sound) waves physically interact with the
body while psychological noise is perceived as our conscious awareness shifts its
[39]
attention to that noise.
[40]
Luigi Russolo, one of the first composers of noise music,  wrote the essay The Art of
Noises. He argued that any kind of noise could be used as music, as audiences
become more familiar with noises caused by technological advancements; noise has
[41]
become so prominent that pure sound no longer exists.
Henry Cowell claimed that technological advancements have reduced unwanted noises
[42]
from machines, but have not managed so far to completely eliminate them.
Felix Urban sees noise as a result of cultural circumstances. In his comparative study
on sound and noise in cities, he points out that noise regulations are only one indicator
of what is considered as harmful. It is the way in which people live and behave
[43]
(acoustically) that determines the way how sounds are perceived.

See also[edit]
 Association of Noise Consultants
 Background noise
 Colors of noise
 Impulse noise (acoustics)
 International Noise Awareness Day
 Intonarumori
 Loud music
 Noise and vibration on maritime vessels
 Noise calculation
 Noise control
 Noise in music
 Noise music
 Noise pollution
 Noise reduction
 Silence
 Sound level meter
 Soundscape
 The Hum
 White noise

References[edit]

1. ^ Elert, Glenn. "The Nature of Sound – The


Physics Hypertextbook". physics.info.
Retrieved 2016-06-20.
2. ^ "The Propagation of sound". pages.jh.edu.
Retrieved 2016-06-20.
3. ^ "What's The Difference Between Acoustical
And Electrical Noise In
Components?". electronicdesign.com. 2012-10-
03. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
4. ^ Richard L. St. Pierre, Jr.; Daniel J. Maguire
(July 2004), The Impact of A-weighting Sound
Pressure Level Measurements during the
Evaluation of Noise Exposure  (PDF),
retrieved 2011-09-13
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Measurement of audio-frequency noise
voltage"  (PDF). www.itu.int. International
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7. ^ "noise: definition of noise in Oxford
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Retrieved 2016-06-20.
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13. ^ "Audio Noise-Hiss, Hum, Rumble &
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Stat. 1234, 42 U.S.C. § 4901 – 42 U.S.C. § 4918.
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24. ^ "CDC – NIOSH Science Blog –
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07). "Turn it Down: Reducing the Risk of Hearing
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37. ^ Hudson, Heidi; Hayden, Chuck (2011-11-
04). "Buy Quiet". Centers for Disease Control and
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24). "Workplace Hearing Loss". Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 2016-
06-15.
39. ^ Barthes, Roland (1985). The Responsibility
of Forms: Critical Essays on Music, Art and
Representation. New York: Hill and
Wang. ISBN 9780809080755.
40. ^ Chilvers, Ian; Glaves-Smith, John, eds.
(2009). A Dictionary of Modern and Contemporary
Art. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 619–
620. ISBN 978-0-19-923965-8.
41. ^ Russolo, Luigi (2004). "The art of noises:
futurist manifesto". In Cox, Christoph; Warner,
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0-8264-1615-5.
42. ^ Cowell, Henry (2004). "The joys of noise". In
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Culture: Readings in Modern Music. New York:
Continuum. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-8264-1615-5.
43. ^ Urban, Felix. Acoustic Competence
Investigating sonic empowerment in urban
cultures. Tectum Verlag (1. Auflage ed.).
Marburg. ISBN 978-3-8288-3683-9. OCLC 95112
1194.
Further reading[edit]
 Kosko, Bart (2006). Noise. Viking Press. ISBN 978-0-670-03495-6.
 Urban, Felix (2016). Investigating sonic empowerment in urban cultures. Baden-Baden,
Tectum. ISBN 978-3-8288-3683-9
 Schwartz, Hillel (2011). Making Noise: From Babel to the Big Bang & Beyond. New
York: Zone Books. ISBN 978-1-935408-12-3.
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