Noise levels can be measured using a sound level meter, which detects the pressure of sound waves as they move through the air. Reducing noise pollution in the workplace If you have to raise your voice or shout to be heard, or if your ears ring or sounds seem muffled afterwards, then the noise level was too loud and harmful. For example, it is not recommended to listen to noises of 109 decibels for any longer than two minutes at a time. The risk of hearing loss increases as the noise becomes louder. Sensitivity to noise differs from one individual to the next, but experts believe that damage to hearing occurs when noise levels are higher than 85 decibels, which is about the loudness of heavy traffic. The loudness of noise is measured in decibels. The parts of the ear that process high frequency sounds are usually the first to be affected. The resulting scar tissue can’t conduct sound. These sensitive hairs are bent, damaged and broken by excessive noise. Hairs on the cochlea sense the vibration and pass on the message to the brain via the cochlear nerve. The vibration is picked up in the inner ear by a small, spiral shaped organ called the cochlea. The three tiny bones lying on the other side of the eardrum pick up the vibration and pass it on to the inner ear. Sound waves are funnelled from the outer ear into the middle ear, where they vibrate the eardrum. Low frequency sounds have waves that are far apart, while high frequency sounds have waves that are bunched together. The vibration of air molecules makes up a sound wave. increased susceptibility to colds and other minor infections.Associated effects of constant noise pollutionĪpart from damage to hearing, exposure to constant and excessive noise can cause other health problems including: Hearing aids only amplify sounds and can’t replace normal hearing. For most cases of noise-induced hearing loss, there is no cure. Some people exposed to excessive noise develop tinnitus, which is described as a constant ringing sound. Sudden explosive sounds, such as gunshots, can cause immediate damage. The degree of hearing loss depends on the loudness of the noise and how long you are exposed to it. Excessive noise in the workplace presents a risk of hearing damage and other health problems. This may happen so gradually and painlessly that you may not notice the minor deterioration from one day to the next. For more information, see Section 16.Ĭontact us to learn the permitted noise levels in your area.Excessive noise levels over a long period of time will damage your hearing. The Resource Management Act requires people to keep noise from their property to a reasonable level. If our requests to reduce the noise to a reasonable level are ignored, we can issue an abatement notice and take enforcement action against the offender. This is to establish whether there is a breach of the maximum noise levels as set out in the Auckland Unitary Plan (PDF 462KB). Our Compliance Response Noise Team will make an assessment by taking a series of noise readings using a calibrated, sound level meter. heat pumps, pool p um ps or ventilation fans.Mechanical noise or sound from commercial/industrial propertiesĮxamples of mechanical, industrial or commercial noise could include: If we find the noise excessive for a second time within 72 hours, the enforcement officer and the police may seize the noise-offending equipment or issue a $500 fine. If there are more noise complaints during that time, we will visit the site again to determine if the noise is still excessive. If we find the noise is too loud, we may issue an Excessive Noise Direction (END).Īn END notice lasts for 72 hours. A subjective assessment is made by the noise control officer. To judge if the noise is excessive or not, we will consider:įor quick response and assessment, w e do not use measuring equipment to decide if the noise is excessive for residential parties, people or music. This is why you need to make a complaint when the noise is happening. When you make a complaint about excessive noise, we come out, investigate and assess the noise. What happens when I complain about noise? contact KiwiRail for trains and railway crossing noise.Īircraft in flight are exempt from noise restrictions under the Resource Management Act.contact the Harbourmaste r for boats on the water.contact the police for noise from moving vehicles.We don't control or enforce noise from moving vehicles like cars, trains, and aircraft.
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