Researchers say it's time to quiet down | The Wichita Eagle

Listen up, America: It's time to quiet down. That's the message from the National Academy of Engineering, which said last week that the government should take steps to make America a quieter place.

Wichita State University professor Ray Hull says it's about time.

Prolonged exposure to sounds such as lawnmowers, MP3 players or motorcycles can damage hearing, disrupt sleep patterns and even increase violence and workplace injuries, he said.

But turning down the volume of our society could be a hard sell.

"Americans like noise," said Hull, director of WSU's doctoral program in audiology. "If that 6.5 horsepower Briggs & Stratton lawnmower they're using isn't loud, it's obviously not powerful enough.

"The more powerful the sound, the more powerful the tool, or car, or music."

In the report released Thursday, the national group called for increased cooperation among engineers, industrial management and government to reduce noise levels, adding, "It will not be accomplished in a short time."

Major sources of noise are transportation, machinery and consumer products. European manufacturers have been more active in developing quieter products to meet stricter standards there, the report noted, and suggested that American companies work to make their products more competitive.

The group, which advises

the government on scientific matters, recommended that:

* The Department of Labor review and lower limits on occupational noise exposure.

* The Environmental Protection Agency be made the lead agency in a public-private effort on noise measurement, reduction and control.

* The government perform cost-benefit analyses to compare noise reducing pavement technology with the installation of noise barriers.

* The EPA help develop a system of labeling product noise through international agreements.

"Buy quiet" programs or labels could encourage consumers to look for quieter products, the report said.

Hull, a researcher who for years has railed against the collective crescendo of movie theaters, aerobics classes, rock concerts and surround-sound living rooms, says the number of people with hearing loss continues to grow.

Much of it, he says, is because of the daily things we do, such as driving with the windows down. Add the occasional noisy situation, such as music concerts or loud bars or restaurants, where you have to shout to be heard, and "You constantly risk permanent damage," Hull said.

"I told a group of freshmen the other day, 'I can almost guarantee that every one of you in this class will possess impaired hearing at some time in your life,' " he said. "That's a result of the iPod or MP3 type stereo with the ear buds that concentrate sound."

Prolonged exposure to any noise above 85 decibels can cause hearing loss, Hull said. The higher the decibel level, the less time it takes before sound receptor cells in your ears start dying. At about 120 decibels — a level Hull has measured coming through countless college students' ear buds — hearing can be permanently damaged after about 3 minutes.

Protecting the public, he said, could be as simple as lowering the maximum volume of music devices and other products, or at least adding warning labels.

Hull tells young people, including his 13-year daughter, that he shouldn't be able to hear ch-ch-ch-ch sounds coming from their ear buds. "That's damaging their hearing, no question," he said.

Other sounds, though, are not so easy to avoid or control. Hull advocates wearing earplugs in noisy situations such as concerts or while mowing the lawn. He even wears earplugs in cars, which are noisier than most people realize.

"I would like to see a warning on the sun visor that says, 'Driving this car at 70 miles per hour on the highway with the windows open can be damaging to your hearing.' That would be an improvement," Hull said.

"We kind of have a handle on water and air pollution. At least we take them seriously and know what we have to do. Noise pollution — people still don't seem to have a handle on that."