Dear Edmund
I hope your early mornings are better than mine. We had blasting noise here again from the local information centre but you have been aware of that for the past six months or so.
Here is some more information you and your team may wish to consider:
“Repeated exposure to noise during critical periods of development may affect a child’s acquisition of speech, language, and language-related skills, such as reading and listening. The inability to concentrate in a noisy environment can affect a child’s capacity to learn”. http://www.epa.gov/air/noise/ochp_noise_fs_rev1.pdf
“Prolonged exposure to loud noise alters how the brain processes speech, potentially increasing the difficulty in distinguishing speech sounds, according to neuroscientists. Exposure to intensely loud sounds leads to permanent damage of the hair cells, which act as sound receivers in the ear. Once damaged, the hair cells do not grow back, leading to noise-induced hearing loss”. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140731102524.htm
Best wishes for your fight against noise pollution
Peter
