How Noise Causes Fatigue

Very few people would count noise as a possible cause of fatigue, or even as a possible cause of physical problems. However, noise can have several adverse consequences, ranging from the obvious hearing loss to exhaustion, strokes and even death.

Noise and Fatigue

• A loud noise can trigger the "fight or flight" response in the human body, a reflex against danger. This mechanism increases the body's production of adrenaline and cortisol to allow a rapid response to danger by increasing breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. This can cause fatigue, exhaustion, anger, aggression, physical pain and sleep problems.

Effects on Health

• Dr. Alice H. Suter, an audiologist at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, says that some noise-related physical problems can include peptic ulcers, cardiovascular problems, strokes and degradation of the immune system. Suter also mentions that noise can have a negative impact on mental health, since noise has been linked to an increase in aggression, decrease in cooperation and suicide.

Everyday Noise

• Gary Evans, a noise researcher at Cornell University, has found that even noise that is not excessively noticeable,can still have a detrimental effect on the body, such as fatigue. Blood tests of workers in noisy offices revealed elevated levels of stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine, even when they said they were not bothered by the noise.