This guide offers practical solutions for ordinary noise problems that a person is likely to meet. The book describes the ways in which sounds are generated, travel to the listener, and affect his hearing and well-being. Recommendations are given for controlling noise at the source and along its path of travel, and for protecting the listener. This guide instructs the reader by way of "Warning Sings" on how to determine whether he is being subjected in his environment to prolonged noise exposures that may prove hazardous to his hearing.Remedies are given for noise problems that a person is likely to find in his home, at work and at school, while traveling, and in the growth and development of his community. The remedies include noise prevention techniques and selection of quiet alternatives to existing noise sources. General principles for selecting quiet appliances are given. Ways of searching for the sources of noise and for determining the paths over which they travel to the listener are described. A detailed index is given for individual ways of looking for inherently quiet homes and travel accomodations are described.In a final chapter, there are suggestions for enlisting community help where large external sources of noise must be quieted, such as those arisseing from public utilities and public transportation.

Damage from noise exposure of sufficient intensity and duration is well established and hearing loss may be temporary or permanent. Fortunately, noise exposure can be controlled and technology exists to reduce the hazards. Aside from employer/employee concern with the inherent hazards of noise, added attention has been brought to focus on the subject through regulatory requirements. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) every employer is legally responsible for providing a workplace free of hazards such as excessive noise. It has been estimated that 14 million US workers are exposed to hazardous noise. This book is presented as an overview summary for employers, workers, and supervisors interested in workplace noise and its control. We believe that in order to understand and control noise it is not necessary to be highly technical. Noise problems can quite often be solved by the people who are directly affected. Presented is an overview of noise, the regulations concerning its control, an explanation of specific principles, and a discussion of some particular techniques.