+ Pollution Research Project Noise Pollution By Hailey Saunders

+ Research Rationale

+ 1. Type of research? 1. Noise pollution 2. Group Studied? 1. Studied sounds heard from day to day, so anyone who was making noise 3. When Studied? 1. Different times of day: morning, afternoon, and night 4. Where studied? 1. Different areas in DeWitt: school, home, and outdoors 5. Research conducted? 1. Used a decibel meter to record different sounds during different times of day to find which sounds were loudest

+ Research Methods

+ 1. Recorded sound on a sound meter app where it gave me the highest, lowest, and average amount of decibels the sound gives off 2. Record the range of decibels for that sound 3. Record the equivalent to that amount of decibels, ex: 30 dB is equivalent to a quiet whisper 4. Determine whether that sound is dangerous for your hearing 5. Determine how long it would take to hear that sound to damage your hearing

+ Research Results

+ 1. Recorded 13 different sounds and the amount of decibels they contained 2. Categorized them into their equivalent sounds, ex: Factory machinery or busy traffic 3. Determined which sounds could prevent humans from sleeping 4. Then determined of those sounds whether that amount of decibels could cause hearing loss in humans 5. Found how many hours a human could be exposed to that sound before hearing loss occurred

+ The pain threshold is about dB Short exposure to a sound 100 dB or louder can lead to permanent hearing loss You should wear hearing protectors for noise 85 dB or louder Sleep disruption may begin at dB

+ Research Results NoisedBDisruptive to sleep? Can cause hearing loss? Freshmen hallway 73-90YesAt it’s loudest, yes Chinese class41-54YesNo Music in headphones (loud) 79-92Yes Music in headphones (quiet) 51-61YesNo Art Class55-65YesNo Thomas yelling95Yes My house Saturday (morning) 34-56Not reallyNo

+ Research Results NoisedBDisruptive to sleep? Can cause hearing loss? My house Saturday (afternoon) 50-84YesNo Bus on the way to a track meet 79-89YesAt its loudest, yes Bus on the way home from track meet 65-76The natural noise of the bus is No Vacuum88-90Yes Lawn mower89-90Yes Train85-95Yes, especially the horn Yes, mainly the horn

+ Research Analysis

+ NoiseCan cause hearing damage? How long before hearing damage occurs? Lawn mowerYes3 hours VacuumYes2 hours 45 minutes Bus on the way to a track meet Sort of4-5 hours Freshmen hallwaySort of4-5 hours Thomas yellingYes1 hour TrainYes, mainly the horn1 hour Music in headphones (loud) Yes1 hour

+ Research Analysis 1. Nearly every sound recorded can cause sleep disruption 2. 7 of the sounds recorded can cause hearing loss. 3. Many of those sounds are heard on a day to day basis 4. Tinnitus, which is described as somewhat of a sunburn of hearing, can warn you to possible damage to the auditory system 1. It is described as a ringing, whooshing, or buzzing in the ears 5. Many of these sounds can cause tinnitus or hearing loss if ear protection isn’t used 6. Noise induced hearing loss can occur from a short blast of a gun, or a prolonged exposure to something like a rock concert

+ Expert Testimony Elliott H. Berger Laurie Wells

+ Expert Testimony “Estimates suggest that from 6-17% of the population, or perhaps as many as 50 million Americans, have tinnitus.” “Exposure to loud noise is one of the most common causes of hearing loss and chronic tinnitus.” “Generally speaking, the louder the noise and the longer the time of exposure, the greater the risk for hearing damage (noise-induced hearing loss) and its common side effect: tinnitus.”

+ Expert Testimony Cont. “You should use hearing protection whenever it is so loud you must shout in order for the person next to you to hear you clearly.” “Basic types of hearing protectors are “roll-down” foam earplugs, push-to-fit foam earplugs, flanged or premolded earplugs, custom-made earplugs, “banded” earplugs and earmuffs” All quotes from (“Tinnitus and Hearing Protection: Fiction and Fact”).

+ Citations Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Definition." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 23 Aug Web. 27 Apr "Dangerous Decibels - A Public Health Partnership for Prevention of Noise-induced Hearing Loss and Tinnitus." Dangerous Decibels Hearing Loss Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr Berger, E. H. "Does Loud Music During Exercise Affect Hearing?" EAR / Aearo Company (2003): n. pag. Web. 28 Apr "E-A-R® Hearing Conservation : FAQs." E-A-R® Hearing Conservation : FAQs. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr Berger, Elliot H., and Laurie L. Wells. Tinnitus and Hearing Protection: Fiction and Fact. Digital image. Job Health Highlights. N.p., Mar Web. 28 Apr