Protect your hearing, preserve your health

Humans, as well as other animals are equipped with ears to hear sounds from the environment mainly to facilitate their survival, i.e. moving away from danger, or towards what will promote their survival. The ear is therefore very important in enabling us to communicate, by hearing information from others, and other sources, and taking nec­essary actions accordingly, either, individually or collectively.

The ear comprises various delicate parts: outer ear, also known as the ear lobe, (which directs sound through the ear canal into the ear; tympanic membrane, or ear drum, (which vibrates in response to the sounds being received); ossicles made up of three tiny bones, (malleus, incus and stapes), that amplify and transmit vibrations from the eardrum to the cochlea (a spiral-shaped, fluid-filled chamber that con­verts sound vibrations into electrical signals) in the inner ear. The intricate design of the ear therefore enables us to hear even very gentle sounds. The ear, therefore must be protected from anything that can harm it, especially excessive noise, which also is described as noise pollution.

Noise pollution causes Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NHIL), and can cause high blood pres­sure, heart disease, sleep distur­bances, and stress. Continuous exposure to noise pollution causes an increase in cholester­ol levels and can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Studies have also associated exposure to ex­cessive noise with neurosis and nervous breakdown.

The Environmental Protec­tion Authority in commem­orating International Noise Awareness Day, on 30 April 2025 under the theme, “Pro­tect Your Hearing, Preserve Your Health”, underscored the critical importance of reducing noise pollution to safeguard hearing and promote overall well-being. The commemora­tion highlighted the need for individuals, institutions, and communities to take deliberate steps to minimize noise expo­sure and adopt healthier sound practices.

It is rather unfortunate that at a time when we have better knowledge and understanding of the harmful effects of noise pollution, it has become com­monplace for excessive noise to be produced persistently because instruments and equip­ment for producing very loud noise, beyond what is obtain­able naturally are readily avail­able. Currently, noise pollution occurs everywhere and at all times, without due regard to the health risks of noise pollution, or the existing regulations: at religious services, funerals, out­door events, marketing floats, political activities, honking from vehicles and noise from engines, and what have you.

In nature very loud noise exceeding 120 decibels (dB), is produced by, for example, the boom of thunder, or the chirping of crickets, and the immediate reaction to the noise produced is to cup the ears, in a bid to avoid causing harm to it. Similarly, when bright light is thrown in the eyes, or intense heat comes into contact with the skin, etc. immediate instinc­tive actions are taken to avoid the noxious stimulus. It is there­fore ridiculous that humans are subjecting themselves, or are being subjected to prolonged noise pollution from artificial sources.

In Ghana, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), has the object to regulate, protect, co-ordinate and exercise gen­eral oversight over all matters relating to climate change and the environment, including noise pollution. The Metro­politan, Municipal and District Assemblies have bylaws to control noise pollution within communities under their juris­diction. The Ghana Standard GS 1222:2018, entitled “Health Protection – Requirements for Ambient Noise Control,” specifies requirements for ac­ceptable ambient noise levels in different categorised locations. The Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) criminalises noise pollution

It is high time that serious ac­tion, beyond rhetorics, is taken by all stakeholders to prevent and curb noise pollution in all its ramifications as it is of seri­ous concern, affecting negative­ly, individuals, communities and businesses. My personal horri­ble experience with a very noisy neighbour, the White House Event center, an open-air en­tertainment centre, which was established in 2024 in Ahod­wo-Osabene, in the Akuapem North Municipality is a case in point. It begs the question why such a noisy facility nestled in a predominantly residential area, would be allowed to operate in the first place.

The health of citizens should be of utmost priority as was espoused by the theme of the 2025 International Noise Awareness Day, “Protect Your Hearing, Preserve Your Health”. It must however, be noted that it is those who create noise pollution who should bear the responsibility to protect those who suffer from their actions, and not the other way round. In the presser for the commemoration of the Inter­national Noise Awareness Day, EPA recommended the follow­ing mitigation measures:

● Tuning down musical instruments and limiting noise to only the source.

● Regular maintenance of equipment, including genera­tor sets

● Switching to newer and quieter models of machinery/ equipment

● Installing noise bar­riers/acoustic/noise-proof materials for noisy equipment

● Siting noise-producing facilities far from living places

● Limiting the use of loudspeakers, especially in resi­dential areas

● Avoiding the use of horns with jarring sounds, mo­torbikes with damaged exhaust pipes, and noisy trucks

● Promoting the planting of trees

The cost of treating or managing any of the ailments associated with noise pollution, i.e. Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NHIL), high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep disturbanc­es, stress, high cholesterol levels, heart attacks, strokes, neurosis and nervous breakdown, do not warrant suffering from them at all, and should be prevented.

It is time that we listen to silence, instead of noise.

BY GODFREY BAIDOO-TSIBU