A New Definition of Noise

Published by The Hearing Journal

QC Author: Daniel Fink

The editorial by Dr. Daniel Fink advocates for a newly adopted definition of noise as "unwanted and/or harmful sound." This redefinition was endorsed by the International Commission on Biological Effects of Noise and highlights the need to acknowledge both unwanted auditory disturbances and their detrimental health effects. The previous definition, simply "unwanted sound," failed to address the harmful auditory and non-auditory health impacts of noise. This change parallels the historical recognition of secondhand smoke as a public health threat and aims to increase awareness of noise's harmful effects on hearing and overall health, potentially leading to stronger regulations and reduced noise exposure. Dr. Fink emphasizes the need for widespread adoption of this new definition across professional and public domains to foster healthier, quieter environments. Read the full editorial here.