Noise pollution affects both health and behavior. Unwanted sound (noise) can cause physical harm and irritation. Noise pollution can cause not only hearing loss but also other concerns, such as stress, hypertension, tinnitus, and sleep disturbances.

Hearing loss due to noise pollution is a problem not only for workers in the construction industry but also for those in other professions and those experiencing non-occupational exposures in their environments. Occupational hearing loss is defined as damage to the inner ear from noise or vibrations due to certain types of jobs or entertainment. If exposure is brief and the noise is removed, most people’s hearing will return to normal. Long-term exposure, however, can cause permanent damage. Hearing loss is related to the total sound energy to which a person is exposed. This is a combination of the decibel level and the duration of exposure. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have issued separate recommendations for maximum noise exposure to prevent hearing loss.  QUEST is available to perform noise detection, occupational hearing loss, and induced hearing loss site assessments to measure elevated noise levels, determine their sources, and control and prevent noise issues.