How noise affects your body

How noise affects your body

Noise is much more than an irritation to the ear. It is an invisible enemy that creeps into our everyday lives – in the office, in the classroom and at home – and slowly eats away at our health without us necessarily noticing it from day one. But what does noise do to the body? That question is not just relevant to health professionals or urban planners. It is crucial for anyone who works with people – and not least for those who care about the well-being of children, employees or citizens.

At ÅBN, we work every day to make the indoor climate as understandable as the weather forecast. With technology that visualizes air quality and noise, we make it possible to act on what we otherwise cannot see. Because indoor climate is not just air – it is life. And noise? It is often “the invisible tyrant” that controls our heart rate, sleep and concentration without permission.

What does noise do to the body?

The short answer? Noise affects both the body and the mind – from the ear to the heart and all the way into the brain. According to DR , noise is the second largest environmental cause of illness and death in Europe – surpassed only by air pollution. That’s no small thing.

But what makes noise so dangerous is not necessarily the volume – it is the duration and our inability to control it. Noise in classrooms, open-plan offices, residential areas close to heavy traffic – the places where we should be able to find peace – can instead become a source of stress, sleep disturbances, heart problems and, in the worst case, diseases such as dementia and cancer.

The silent killer: From high blood pressure to blood clots

You don't necessarily notice it right away. But your body does. When we are exposed to constant noise – traffic, office noise, ventilation systems – our blood pressure rises. According to Gaffa and NordForsk , the risk of cardiovascular disease increases significantly when the body doesn't get a break from sound. For every 10 decibel increase in noise, the risk of blood clots increases by a whopping 8%.

What does noise do to the body? It puts our nervous system on constant alert. It's like the body thinking it has to flee – all the time. And it's tiring.

Sleep – or lack thereof

Sleep is the body's most important recovery engine. But when noise disrupts sleep at night – even at low levels – the body reacts as if it will never recover. According to the Danish Environmental Protection Agency's Road Noise Action Plan, reduced sleep quality is one of the most widespread consequences of noise in the city. And long-term sleep disturbances can lead to everything from fatigue and a weakened immune system to depression and cognitive disorders.

What does noise do to the body? It deprives us of the foundation of health: sleep.

Dementia and Alzheimer's – a new sound in diagnosis

New Danish research from the University of Southern Denmark shows that traffic noise can increase the risk of dementia. This is partly because the noise disrupts sleep and stresses the brain over time. In fact, the risk of Alzheimer's and other types of dementia is higher in people who live close to busy roads or sleep in rooms with constant background noise.

What does noise do to the body? It penetrates the brain – and stays there.

Stress, fatigue and difficulty concentrating

Anyone who works in open-plan offices or in institutions with many children knows the feeling of mental exhaustion after a day of constant noise. According to Gaffa , noise can lead to persistent stress, fatigue and reduced cognitive function. This affects not only adults, but also children. And it affects learning, well-being and collaboration.

What does noise do to the body? It drains our mental batteries – faster than we can recharge them.

Social consequences: When noise pushes us away from health

There are also social consequences. According to Videnskab.dk , people who live in noisy areas are less likely to exercise. When noise becomes a part of everyday life, people withdraw from outdoor activities, which leads to obesity, poorer fitness, and a lower quality of life.

What does noise do to the body? It prevents us from doing the things that otherwise keep us healthy.

How can we protect ourselves from noise?

Noise is a part of our modern life – but that doesn’t mean we have to accept it. There are solutions. And it starts with understanding the invisible problem. At ÅBN, we have developed intuitive sensors that make it possible to measure and visualize the indoor climate – including noise. We call them “the heroes of the air” because they give you superpowers: knowledge and the ability to take action.

Our solution, Skyen , shows noise and CO₂ in real time. This makes it easier to identify problems with acoustics and air quality – and importantly: to do something about it. Whether you work in a municipality, run a school or manage an office landscape, with the right insight you can make decisions that improve well-being and health.

Architecture and behavioral design as noise protection

Noise abatement is not just about technology – it is also about people. By understanding how we use spaces and which activities create noise, we can design better environments. With knowledge from behavior change and indoor climate documentation from ÅBN, we can adapt the use of premises, furnish with noise-absorbing materials and create quieter learning and working environments.

Quiet learning environments → Better children's well-being

Children are particularly vulnerable to noise. In classrooms with poor acoustics, both learning and well-being are affected. Soundproofing and noise visualization can be crucial to ensuring calm in teaching. Imagine if the teacher could easily see when the sound level gets too high – and take immediate action. That is exactly the opportunity technologies