Noise pollution is an inescapable experience of the Indian City life- Flashing traffic honks, construction, loud speakers, and city life are some aspects of life in Indian cities that leave their mark making the soundscape in one such city hard to forget. Although it is not recognized as such every time, chronic exposure to noise is a chronic stressor of the nervous system.
What constantly triggers the stress response is continued high decibel noise which elevates the level of cortisol and overstimulates the nervous system. This causes sleep disorders, lack of concentration, headaches, irritability, anxiety, and poor mental ability in the long run. These effects are more prone to children and the elderly.
As opposed to observable pollution, noise has an insidious effect on mental health, leading to the risks of cardiovascular and neurological diseases in the long term. The fact that it has become normalized has enabled the issue to expand without proper regulation or awareness of people.
To minimise noise pollution, sound limits, urban planning reforms, and creating more awareness on the same should be enforced. Silence is no luxury, it is part of the necessity of the neurology.
Do you experience sleeplessness, lack of concentration, and mental well-being due to constant urban noise?
Exactly, it has been normalized, and that’s the worst. We can hope for betterment if we actually acknowledge it’s a problem but when we normalized noice pollution how can we expect a change, and on the top of it some people have created weird stereotypes and labeled a few communities as loud. Noice pollution is disturbing, and it disturbs us to the core. There should be strict rules for loud speaker use, and these rules should be followed.
The most noise polluted cities in the world are located in India! We should stop normalising this and try to reduce this as much as we can from our side. Or else the prevalence of these diseases will continue
Well said. Normalizing noise pollution has only worsened the problem—acknowledging it as a health issue is the first step toward meaningful regulation and change.
True. With several of the world’s most noise-polluted cities in India, collective responsibility and stricter enforcement are essential to prevent long-term health consequences.