We’ve all experienced it; but what is it?
Listener Fatigue...
A dictionary definition of fatigue may say “An extreme loss of energy, arising from excessive physical, and, or, mental activity inducing tiredness or weariness.” The reason for physical fatigue is self evident, but the loss of mental energy is altogether more insidious. After all; who amongst us has never said, or more likely yelled in desperation, “stop that noise, it’s giving me a headache, or it’s driving me mad!”
Listener fatigue results from being subjected to a continuous barrage of sounds of varying frequency and volume. Simply put, the brain loses the ability to focus and concentrate properly as it becomes more and more overloaded by the cacophony of sound waves it receives. Imagine trying to make sense of 10 simultaneous announcements at a main line railway station!
In a poor quality acoustical environment, noise levels are exacerbated to the point where the listener may experience physiological changes which are sometimes evident by an agitated state of being.
Only by understanding that excessive noise is a dangerous form of pollution and, that the effects of noise fatigue are real, can we start taking steps towards a calmer and healthier future. Just because you don’t live or work in a railway station doesn’t mean that the subtle effects of listener fatigue won’t affect you!