Being subjected to constant noise can be enough to drive you mad, even if it is not loud enough to damage your hearing.
But it’s not just annoying – it can also be bad for your health.
A review published in The Lancet has found that noise can be associated with several illnesses, including heart disease and sleep problems. It is possible to be woken by noise several times during the night and not even realise it, because you wake so briefly.
However, this disrupted sleep can lead to extreme tiredness the following day, which can affect your ability to concentrate and also your mood.
Chronic exposure to noise can also increase blood pressure and cause your body to release stress hormones.
If this happens on a regular basis, the constant release of these hormones may make you more prone to heart problems and stroke.
