Sound and Noise

Imagine a world without sound. It would be very difficult to live in such a world. Sound is a medium for communication. We share our thoughts, feelings and information with others using sound.

However, a loud music, sound from a loud speaker, horns of vehicles on a busy road, barking of dogs, crying of a child etc. rather irritate a person. All these sounds are unwanted. Hence, we can say that noise is an unwanted sound. Even the slightest unwanted sounds are very annoyihg if they continue for a long time.

Noise is inseparable part of our everyday life. People do not easily become accustomed to noise. Everyone has a different tolerance to noise. The tolerance may also vary according to time, mood, physical and mental health of a person or the type of activity one is involved in. Also at times, one enjoys loud music when he himself has put it on whereas it becomes irritating when somebody else is responsible for it.

11.3