Web Notes

(1) Electropar Eng., Where should I not use high output sounders? “High output sounders should not be used in areas with low ambient background noise levels or as a means of “drenching” the area in sound. Alarm systems that are too loud may be dangerous & cause panic, discomfort & make communication very difficult, with the consequence impedance of evacuation procedures.”

(2) Dr. Paul, Children’s Health & Wellness, “Alarmingly, several studies suggest that exposure to excessively loud noises during pregnancy causes hearing loss, premature delivery & growing retardation of the baby.”

Baby Center BBS – Pregnant for the First Time 5-28-03 “when out in the parking lot & an Ambulance passed right by us with it’s siren wailing…B -- OUT…arms & legs must have been flailing all over the place b/c she was so scared! I wrapped my arms across my stomach & said “Oh no! She’s terrified! Quick…unlock the car.” It’s kind of funny, but at the time the I was scared to death, as I’ve never felt that level out from her before, & I thought the loud noise was hurting her!”

(& this Siren started from a distance, not Instantly SHRIEKING all around them!)

UCSF Children’s Hospital 6-27-03 “Sweetow said mild hearing loss as a child or young adult may set the stage for significant hearing loss. Some studies suggest a “damaged-ear” theory, proposing that even minor hearing damage at a young age may make a person more susceptible to permanent loss”

Acoustics.com Hearing Loss in Children “a surprising number of children suffer from auditor impairment of various degrees. The younger the child is at the onset of this condition, the more severe the possible ramifications.”

bmj.com Clinical Evidence “There is evidence to suggest that children’s hearing is particular vulnerable to noise”

Northey Audiological Consultants, Inc. “Sounds of sufficient intensity & duration will damage the ear & result in temporary or permanent hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss can result from a single loud noise -”

(3) ApolioLife.com “Anger triggers a surge in Adrenalin, a stress hormone that affects the autonomous nervous system, heart rate & blood pressure. This can lead to a cascade event that causes a blood clot to form in the body, which could result in a heart attack. The rise in blood pressure & heart rate due to the anger could also dislodge deposits in a coronary artery & block the artery’s blood flow.”

(4) Electropar Eng. “In normal commercial environments such as offices, hotels, hospitals & public buildings, the ambient background noise will typically be fairly low at around 65 dB,”

Ontario, Ca., Ministry of Public Safety & Security; Measuring Audibility of Fire Alarm Systems. “Sound level measurements that are used in an audibility assessment should be made using a suitable instrument: The meter should be capable of measuring 35 to 100 dB,” (only up to 100 dB?)

(5) Electropar Eng. “in an enclosed space some (FA) will be reflected & an increase sound level will result.”

(6) BBC NEWS 1-17-03 Women guilty of OAP’s fright death. “He was so frightened that he suffered a heart attack & died”

Catherine Richards, Charged Hearts “ “I could have died of joy” or “I was scared to death” are referring to a real phenomena…Such individuals often perish by sudden cardiac death in reaction to a loud noise or a happy surprise”

Science Daily 12-27-01 ““Scared to Death”, more than just an Expression. Findings from a new medical article by UCSD Sociologist David Phillips suggest that people can indeed be scared to death,”

(7) The Gateway to Children’s Environmental Health 7-22-01 “A resent report by scientists at Texas A&M U, for example, suggests that women may be more sensitive to noise stress than men. While a SUDDEN loud noise can lead to immediate hearing loss, the U of Ottawa’s Ms. Laroche says that most of the time people don’t recognize the damage noise causes.”

“The rule of thumb is that the noise around you is too loud if; you have pain or ringing in your ears after exposure to sound”

(8) Wayne Fire Protection, Inc. “The National Fire Protection Assoc. has strict guidelines for performing proper dB testing.”

(9) LA Times 8-4-03 How to control the effects of Tinnitus. “Avoid loud noise. It can trigger or exacerbate existing tinnitus. (Transient tinnitus can develop after even a brief, one-time exposure.)”

George Washington U., Technology News, 8-3-03 “According to the National Campaign for Hearing Health, which promotes research & education about hearing loss, 28 million people in the US have hearing trouble. More than 1/3 of the cases are caused at least partly by piled-up exposure to noise from everyday encounters with airplanes, air conditioners, hair dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, lawnmowers, auto theft alarms & rock music.”