noise
When noise or noise is noise ( sound ) means that (usually volume) to the structure of their environment (especially humans) disturbing ( background noise ) act, burdensome or harmful to health.
Whether noises are consciously perceived as noise depends in particular on the assessment of the sound source by the listener. Despite acoustic habituation, noise can unconsciously continue to affect the body and psyche . Noise can disrupt the biological rhythm (see also day-night rhythm ) ( disturbance of the peace ) and cause or promote sleep disorders .
Noise sometimes arises together with infrasound . This is not perceived by the human ear. It can have effects similar to audible sound.
term
The word noise comes from the Italian all'arme , "to arms!" And is related to " alarm ". Up until the middle of the 18th century, noise was primarily a term from the military field, for which u. a. even today unusual compositions such as “noise place” (a place where people stepped under arms), “noise blower” and “noise racket” (trumpeter or drum that gave the call to collect) testify. Almost a hundred years later, the German linguist and lexicographer Johann Christoph Adelung defined the term noise as "every loud, arduous sound". Kurt Tucholsky later once noted: "Noise is the noise of others." B. defined in legal texts as "unwanted sound" and thus contains not only a biophysical and medical component but also a subjective component. For example, noises from children's playgrounds can be assessed very differently depending on the listener - from negative to pleased.
The term Radau, which is often used colloquially for noise, is already used in Berlin in the 19th century ; it came from the student's language, where it represented a sound-mimicking education that was adjusted to foreign-language words through final stress. From Berlin it spread to other language regions. Synonymously is - probably starting from rotwelschen term palhe (noise) from the Ruhr and Rhineland across to other regions - the term fuss or Bahei (originally fuss ) meaning "much ado about nothing" or "a lot of hoopla around do something ”or“ make (big) fuss ”is used.
perception
The auditory perception of noises as noise and the effect of noise on people depend on the one hand on measurable physical quantities:
- Sound pressure level : physical measure of the strength of the sound pressure
- Pitch : high notes are perceived differently than low notes, and are usually more unpleasant.
- Tonality : Individual tonal components in the noise increase the perceived volume.
- Impulse content : Noises with strong level changes such as hammering are perceived as more unpleasant than noises with a constant or even volume.
Advances in measurement technology have made it possible to determine the frequency composition of noises, which is particularly important for aircraft noise .
The information content can increase the disruptive effect of noise, as it attracts increased attention. Although it is not a physical quantity, its presence can nevertheless be determined objectively. Sound, impulse and information content are taken into account in addition to the rest times in the assessment according to the TA Lärm by adding surcharges.
On the other hand, subjective factors are decisive when it comes to the level of noise nuisance:
- Activity: During bedtime, noise is extremely annoying. The same applies to activities that require high concentration.
- The personal assessment: noises that someone likes are not perceived as annoying even at high volume levels, noises that someone does not like are considered annoying even at low volumes (e.g. certain music).
- The social and cultural evaluation: e.g. church bells are described as annoying by fewer people than a running engine in front of the house.
- Personal well-being: Certain chronic or acute illnesses are associated with an increased sensitivity to noise. B. Depression, meningitis. In epilepsy and eclampsia , noise can trigger a seizure. A person's general health can also affect their sensitivity to noise.
Noise pollution is used when an activity is interrupted or hindered due to noise. People are particularly sensitive to noise
- if linguistic communication is disturbed; z. B. a loud conversation at the next table makes listening difficult,
- when they perform intellectual activities, e.g. B. Memorization of texts or children learning in noisy classrooms,
- when you want to sleep.
Noise can impair linguistic communication, interrupt trains of thought, prevent relaxation and make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Sources of noise
Noise can be assigned to different generating sources. This results in different perceptual relationships and different noise effects. Depending on the source, the following types of noise are distinguished:
- Traffic noise : road traffic noise , rail traffic noise , aircraft noise
- Commercial noise and industrial noise
- Construction site noise
- Neighborhood noise , leisure noise
This list is not complete, but corresponds to the classifications in the German legal system. There are also other sources of noise such as bells , shooting ranges and public events, some of which are described in special regulations. In the course of European unification, the term environmental noise was re-coined to encompass the totality of human perception of various sources of noise.
Measurement and evaluation
Sound events are measured with sound level meters . There are several options for classifying and evaluating sound as noise. In Germany, the dB (A) has established itself as the unit of measurement for the sound pressure level , with attempts being made to use technical equipment to increase the sensitivity of the human ear at certain pitches, e.g. B. to be considered between 1 and 2 kHz. In addition to the sound pressure level, the duration of the noise, the time of day, the frequency composition and the frequency must be taken into account.
Sound pressure level
The basis for the legal evaluation of the sound is the measurement or calculation of the sound emission , depending on the regulations and standards applicable in Germany . Since an evaluated measurement of the sound pressure level only incompletely reflects the perceived volume and also the potential damage to the hearing , additions to the physical level are given for certain sound properties, e.g. B. for tonality ("squeaking") and impulsiveness ("hammering"). Assessment levels are formed from the physical sound pressure level and the allowances . The calculation and measurement methods differ fundamentally in some cases (e.g. aircraft noise and road traffic noise). Often, annual mean values are calculated from which the peak noise levels can no longer be identified, for example in rush hour traffic.
Loudness
Measurement methods for loudness measurement can describe the volume perception of humans relatively precisely. The standards DIN 45631 and ISO 532 B describe procedures for measuring loudness. The result of these measurements is the loudness in sones . The sone is a linear measure, a doubling of the loudness in sone corresponds to a doubling of the perceived volume . In order to obtain comparable values for level measurement, the result of loudness measurements is also given as a volume level - likewise logarithmic - in phon .
To assess the noise situation at the workplace , the noise exposure level must be determined in accordance with the DIN EN ISO 9612 (2009-09) standard. Noise exposure at the workplace is usually made up of different components. The total exposure of a person can be calculated from the noise exposure that occurs during the individual activities and the corresponding time proportions. The noise exposure calculator from the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance can be used for this. The computer is available as an Excel spreadsheet (free download as an offline version) and as a platform-independent web application.
Noise effects
Noise can be stressful and damaging for people and animals. Noise can have a negative impact on overall health through the ear ; one cannot get used to noise. In 2001, there was still considerable need for research here. Noise is an environmental factor that not only relates to humans, as numerous animals also depend on sound signals for their communication. Effects were z. B. observed in songbirds in urban areas.
In a study published in spring 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified noise as the second largest environmental factor that increases the burden of disease (after air pollution). According to estimates by the European Environment Agency, around 20 percent of people in Europe are affected by a noise level that is harmful to health according to the WHO definition.
General
Frequent noise events, e.g. B. from aircraft noise , can endanger health. In 1910 Robert Koch prophesied : “One day man will have to fight noise just as relentlessly as cholera and the plague”. The point of attack of the noise is not only primarily the ear , but also secondarily the disturbance of the balance of stress hormones , in particular cortisol and other corticosteroids .
Noise pollution during sleep , such as night flight noise , is considered particularly critical. Nocturnal noise, even through high individual levels, can lead to health hazards in the long term. Maximum levels of 45 dB (A) and more can lead to wake-up reactions. According to consistent scientific studies, an increase of 10 dB is perceived as a doubling of the volume.
At a sound pressure level of 55 dB (A) or more , noises are increasingly perceived as a nuisance. If this persists over a longer period of time, performance and well-being are reduced. Noises of 65 to 75 dB (A) cause stress in the body . This can lead to arterial hypertension (high blood pressure), cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction (heart attack). Noise can also reduce gastric secretion and cause gastric ulcers .
Further consequences of exposure to noise are:
- increased risk of accidents by covering up warning signals
- Decrease in physical and mental performance .
Human hearing
The human hearing is endangered by continuous sound effects with A-weighted sound pressure levels above 85 dB. If noises of this strength affect a person over long periods of time, noise- related hearing loss can be expected. Occupational hearing impairments are currently the top priority of all occupational diseases in Germany.
At a sound pressure level above 110 dB (A), even a single noise event can damage the hearing (acute acoustic trauma ), especially if the pain threshold is exceeded. The damage depends on the time of exposure and the pitch.
Human behaviour
The following noise levels have an impact on human behavior:
- A relaxed conversation is already difficult at 45 dB (A).
- At 50 dB (A), those affected raise their voices.
- At 60 dB (A), those affected have to speak loudly.
- With more than 65 dB (A) outside exposure, residents change their behavior, i. In other words, they keep windows closed and balconies are no longer used.
Use of noise
The most common application form of intentional noise use is noise instruments in the leisure sector . Many children enjoy just making noise with whistles , ratchets , recorder heads or the like. The Vuvuzela fanfares , which have also been known in Europe since the 2010 World Cup, are particularly popular in South Africa .
Noise can also be used deliberately against people. So-called sonic cannons can be used as non-fatal means z. B. can be used against piracy . The New York police also used LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Devices) during demonstrations. The attacker is exposed to unbearable noise by means of directed loudspeakers. This noise is characterized by a frequency spectrum that is particularly unpleasant for people and particularly high sound pressure.
In music, high volume is referred to as noise or noise if it is a reinvented or reorganized artistic expression (for example electrically amplified or distorted) initially as unmusical or unusual and even (politically) disturbing and the "noise" (for example in Jimi Hendrix ) is perceived as a revolutionary gesture.
Noise protection and noise abatement
In order to protect against noise , through avoidance or control, various noise abatement measures are used.
On the part of the state there are a number of legal regulations. The Federal Immission Control Act applies in Germany . The Environmental Noise Directive was issued at European level .
The Day Against Noise is the German version of the international Noise Awareness Day (English, German: day to pay attention to noise or day of noise awareness ). In Germany , the Day Against Noise is organized by the German Society for Acoustics and is linked to various campaigns aimed at addressing as many age groups as possible. Over the years there has been a painting competition for children, a virtual audio tour (video or CD) and city tours on the subject. It takes place annually in April. Everyone who is concerned with noise protection, protection of silence, good hearing and listening can participate with regional or supraregional activities.
In 2012, the Federal Environment Agency complained that " noise awareness ", unlike other negative environmental influences, is hardly socially pronounced. Hardly anyone forego activities “to avoid noise”.
literature
- Theodor Lessing: The noise. A pamphlet against the noises of our life (= borderline questions of the nervous and mental life. 54). 1908, OCLC 20034114 .
- Uwe Laucken, Ulrich Mees: Logography of everyday life. Suffering, guilt and justice in letters of complaint about noise. Series of publications by the University of Oldenburg, 1987, ISBN 3-87358-287-2 .
- Murray Schafer: Sound and noise. A cultural history of hearing. Frankfurt am Main 1988, ISBN 3-610-08498-7 .
- Gerald Fleischer: Noise - the daily terror. Understand - evaluate - fight. Trias, Stuttgart 1990, ISBN 3-89373-128-8 .
- Sieglinde Geisel: It's only really quiet in space: from the noise and the longing for silence. Galiani, Berlin 2010, ISBN 978-3-86971-015-0 .
- Jürgen H. Maue, Heinz Hoffmann, Arndt von Lüpke: 0 decibels plus 0 decibels equals 3 decibels. Schmidt, Berlin 2003, ISBN 3-503-07470-8 .
- Stephan Marks: It's too loud! A non-fiction book about noise and silence. Fischer, Frankfurt am Main 2003, ISBN 3-596-13993-7 .
Web links
Germany
- Authorities
- When noise makes you sick , kindergesundheit-info.de, independent information service of the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA)
- Noise effects: hearing, health, performance , Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
- Non-governmental organizations
- DEGA Noise Working Group (ALD)
- Hear well for a long time - prevent noise pollution , hörkomm.de - barrier-free hearing and communication in the working world, project guidelines
- Tag gegen Lärm , official website of the German Society for Acoustics
- media
- Scobel: How the noise pollutes the world. , 3sat media library, broadcast on January 26, 2012
Switzerland
- Authorities
- Noise , at the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)
- Interactive learning path on the subject of noise at www.laermorama.ch
- Noise maps of Switzerland , Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)
- Non-governmental organizations
Individual evidence
- ↑ Deutschlandradio: Noise - The dark side of our modern world?
- ↑ noise. In: Digital dictionary of the German language .
- ↑ noise. In: Jacob Grimm , Wilhelm Grimm (Hrsg.): German dictionary . tape 12 : L, M - (VI). S. Hirzel, Leipzig 1885, Sp. 202–205 ( woerterbuchnetz.de ).
- ↑ Peter Payer: From noise to noise. On the history of hearing in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In: Wolfram Aichinger, Franz X. Eder, Claudia Leitner (eds.): Senses and experience in history. (= Cross-sections. 13). StudienVerlag, Innsbruck 2003, ISBN 3-7065-1925-9 , pp. 173–192.
- ↑ Hanna Grimm: German in focus: Bohei. Number of weeks word in the portal dw.de , 2013, accessed December 26, 2013.
- ↑ Etymology Germany - Onomatopoeia
- ↑ etymologie.info
- ^ Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance (IFA): Calculation of the noise exposure level with the IFA noise exposure calculator. Retrieved March 6, 2020 .
- ↑ a b Hartmut Ising, Barbara Kruppa: On the current state of knowledge of noise effects research: necessity of a paradigm shift. In: Umweltmed Forsch Prax. 6 (4), 2001, (PDF file; 497 kB)
- ^ Swiss Transport Club ( Memento from April 25, 2011 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ Council of Experts for Environmental Issues (1999): Special report 'Environment and Health' on questions of nuisance from environmental noise : “If the noise level remains the same, the noise nuisance remains the same, there is no indication of getting used to the noise. If a high level of annoyance persists over a longer period of time, this strain must be classified as negative stress (distress). "
- ↑ Hans Slabbekoorn, Margriet Peet: Birds singing at a higher pitch in urban noise. In: Nature. 424, July 17, 2003, p. 267.
- ↑ WHO presents new findings on the health effects of traffic noise in Europe. euro.who.int, March 30, 2011, October 5, 2012.
- ^ World Health Organization, Regional Office Europe: Burden of disease from environmental noise. euro.who.int, April 10, 2010; PDF file; 2.3 MB
- ^ Fiona Harvey: One in five Europeans exposed to harmful noise pollution - study . In: The Guardian . March 5, 2020, ISSN 0261-3077 ( theguardian.com [accessed March 5, 2020]).
- ^ H. Ising, T. Günther, HU Melchert: Demonstration and mechanism of blood pressure elevation due to occupational noise. In: Zentralbl Arbeitsmed Arbeitsschutz Prophyl Ergonomie. 30 (6), 1980, pp. 194-203. PMID 7467901
- ↑ Lecture “Environmental Technology ” by Ulrich Förstner at the Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg.
- ↑ The Weapon of Sound: Sonic Canon Gives Pirates an Earful. In: Spiegel-online. November 2005 (English).
- ^ RNC to Feature Unusual Forms of Sound. In: ABC News. Technology & Science. August 2004 (English).
- ↑ Trumpets Against Pirates. In: WirtschaftsWoche April 24, 2009.
- ^ Jacques Attali : Noise. Essai sur l'économie politique de la musique. Paris 2001, p. 71.
- ^ Hannes Fricke: Myth guitar: history, interpreters, great hours. Reclam, Stuttgart 2013, ISBN 978-3-15-020279-1 , pp. 15-27, 57 f. and 80.
- ↑ Tag gegen Lärm , accessed on October 19, 2018.
- ↑ Effects of noise: why are we doing this to ourselves? In: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. August 24, 2012, accessed December 13, 2017 .