You might have noticed that over time I have written a lot of posts that somehow relate to noise.
For example, I have covered how noise directly affects memory and performance for students and professionals and how it affects our sleep.
I have also covered how sleep and memory consolidation are directly related. More noise means less deep sleep. But deep sleep is paramount to reorganizing what you have learned during the day and connecting it with other memories.
Being constantly exposed to disruptive noise at night and you can kiss the fruits of your hard learning good bye, despite becoming prolific at and using the best memory techniques.
Incessant noise also increases stress hormone levels: another killer of memory and well-being.
Noise is insidious. Exposing yourself to constant levels of more than 85 decibels doesn’t hurt; it’s quite easy with good headphones. But, over time it can wreak havoc on your hearing.
When I was a teenager, I was completely oblivious to what the ringing in my ears after a night in the disco or in front of a speaker wall actually meant. After all, the ringing was always gone in the morning. I even built some enormous speakers for my living room. That was then.
Over the years, I have become fascinated with solving noise problems and using sound more consciously to help me learn better and become happier.
About three months ago, I decided I needed more space for this ongoing project.
It was time for a blog to shut out the noise, and so NoisyWorld.org came into being.
NoisyWorld focuses on:
- Practical solutions for stopping obnoxious noise. This includes both general noise that impairs sleep, performance, and well-being and noise that is loud enough to damage hearing.
- Using sound to improve sleep, performance and productivity, and happiness.
My flirtations with noise and insomnia
Read moreIt’s a Noisy World Out There: Here is Help to Turn It Off