In today's world of Covid and an aging demographic, most of our families are stuck indoors for long periods of time.  The pandemic has created a new world where some members of our families have to work from home.

In our neighborhood, cars with loud mufflers and music are constantly disrupting our sleep at nights as well as days.  These disruptions in our sleep pattern as well as a layer of noise to the already loud city noises, is not just a nuisance but is becoming a health issue.  Quality of Life should be a priority in our lives and we need to start with our neighbors, children, and community to educate each other how noise pollution is becoming the next health hazard.   Studies show that noise causes cognitive impairment and oxidative stress in the brain [5]. According to Wang et al., with further urbanisation and industrialisation, noise pollution has become a risk factor for depression, cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative disorders  Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2019 Sep 15; 7(17): 2924–2931.
Published online 2019 Aug 30. doi: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.742
PMCID: PMC6901841
PMID: 31844459

Effects on humans and wildlife
Noise is more than a mere nuisance. At certain levels and durations of exposure, it can cause physical damage to the eardrum and the sensitive hair cells of the inner ear and result in temporary or permanent hearing loss, known as noise-induced hearing loss. Hearing loss does not usually occur at SPLs below 80 dBA (eight-hour exposure levels are best kept below 85 dBA), but most people repeatedly exposed to more than 105 dBA will have permanent hearing loss to some extent. In addition to causing hearing loss, excessive noise exposure can raise blood pressure and pulse rates, cause irritability, anxiety, and mental fatigue, and interfere with sleep, recreation, and personal communication. Children living in areas with high levels of noise pollution may suffer from stress and other problems, such as impairments in memory and attention span. Noise pollution control is therefore important in the workplace and in the community.

Your voice matters.  If you see something, say something.  Together we can change the way our streets.  Let's get our children, parents, grandparents and youths to enjoy a better and safer environment.