A brief history of noise
Noise is not a new problem to society. Since the first clap of thunder, noise has been plaguing mankind's existence. There is reportedly an ordinance enacted some 2,500 years ago by an ancient greek community banning metal works and keeping roosters within the city to protect against noise that interfered with and might disturb sleep. Over the past 200 years, there has been a steady increase in the magnitude of the impact of noise, changing the nature and extent of the problem from that of primarily a nuisance to one of annoyance and actual physical damage.
Noise pollution
As harmful noise increases in both industry and entertainment, noise pollution becomes an increasingly large problem. Once noise pollution does its damage by causing hearing loss, there is no reversal process. All that can be done is to compensate by using a hearing aid or some other assistive listening device. To understand noise and its effect on health and welfare, one must understand certain fundamentals of sound and human response to it.