Experts state that noise sensitivity is a complex psychological and physiological condition representing individuals' personal reactions to noise, and research reveals that health problems such as sleep disturbances, hypertension, heart diseases, anxiety, and depression are more common in noise-sensitive individuals.
Audiologist Busemnaz Avşar Aksu noted that chronic noise sources like traffic and airplane noise, which are urban stress factors, can trigger mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, stating, “Individuals with noise sensitivity may experience increased stress hormone release due to their more intense emotional responses to sounds, which can create negative long-term effects on mental health.”
Audiologist and Research Assistant Busemnaz Avşar Aksu from the Department of Audiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Üsküdar University, discussed the effects of noise, which has become an indispensable part of modern life, on individuals, on the occasion of April 24 International Noise Awareness Day.
Noise sensitivity is a complex psychological and physiological condition
Research Assistant Busemnaz Avşar Aksu pointed out that noise, as an inevitable part of modern life, is a collection of unwanted sounds that can deeply affect individuals' physical and mental health, stating, “Noise sensitivity is a complex psychological and physiological condition that expresses individuals' personal reactions to noise. While some individuals do not struggle with tolerating noise, for others, these sounds can be a serious source of stress.”
Even background music can be disturbing for those with noise sensitivity
Aksu explained that research shows individuals experiencing noise sensitivity tend to pay more attention to sound, perceive it as threatening or uncontrollable, and therefore struggle to adapt, saying, “For example, a person with noise sensitivity might find even daily sounds like neighbors' conversations, air conditioning noises, or background music disturbing. The effect of noise on individuals is not limited solely to the sound's loudness; characteristics such as age and gender, mental health, personality structures, and environmental factors also shape this perception.”
Cardiovascular diseases and hypertension are more common in those with noise sensitivity
Research Assistant Busemnaz Avşar Aksu also stated that background noise is a factor that negatively affects productivity, especially in educational and work environments, and continued:
“Elements such as human voices, equipment noise, ventilation systems, or external traffic sounds can hinder students' concentration and ability to understand lessons. Furthermore, by causing physiological effects like stress and fatigue, they can threaten individuals' overall well-being in the long term. Research indicates that noise-sensitive individuals more frequently experience health problems such as sleep disorders, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, anxiety, and depression. It has also been noted that individuals disturbed by noise experience negative emotions like fear and anger, which are reinforced by physiological arousal and lead to long-term health problems.”
It can trigger mental health problems such as depression and anxiety!
Audiologist Busemnaz Avşar Aksu noted that chronic noise sources like traffic and airplane noise, which are urban stress factors, can trigger mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, stating, “Individuals with noise sensitivity may experience increased stress hormone release due to their more intense emotional responses to sounds, which can create negative long-term effects on mental health. For instance, because noise-sensitive individuals perceive sounds as threatening, they find it more difficult to adapt to such environments. Thus, chronic noise exposure in individuals with noise sensitivity can weaken their capacity for emotional regulation. Noise-sensitive individuals are more vulnerable to these types of stress factors, and this situation can increase social and economic burdens.”
Environmental regulations play an important role in reducing noise sensitivity
Research Assistant Busemnaz Avşar Aksu also stated that various approaches are suggested to reduce the negative effects of noise sensitivity on individuals, concluding:
“Cognitive behavioral therapy stands out as an effective method for managing sensory sensitivities. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help individuals restructure their attitudes toward noise and reduce their stress responses. In addition, environmental regulations also play a significant role in reducing noise sensitivity. For example, measures such as sound insulation, noise barriers, and increasing green spaces in urban planning can reduce noise exposure. In educational environments, acoustic improvements can be made to minimize background noise, thereby increasing students' concentration and learning performance.”