Volume 117
June 22, 2022
  • Macro & Micro
  • National Parks
  • Replacement Rates
  • Sustainability
  • Noises, Blazes and Mismatches
  • Soundscapes

Hearing health professionals don’t stay silent on guiding those entrusted in their care how to prevent Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). On purpose, their keen awareness of macro factors shapes micro-counseling strategies. To start, let’s talk macro about conservation and preservation.
While Carpé Diem translates to “Seize the Day,” many of life’s pleasures are, ideally, repeatable for loved ones, ourselves and future generations. Personally, our family loves hiking in National Parks. As the (true) story goes, my wife and I got engaged at Inspiration Point in Bryce Canyon National Park and our son’s middle name is Bryce. It was a beautiful moment, with a sublime panorama.
The National Park Service (NPS) mission is to “preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation… throughout this country and the world.” 1

Having visited many national parks, we admire devoted Park Rangers who, despite challenging (underfunded) circumstances, cherish conservancy roles. To discover their treasures, explore:


Recognizing NPS’ intent to “preserve unimpaired,” naturally leads to discussing sustainable development, which the UN World Commission on Environment and Development defines as: “… development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” 2

As a Sustainability viewpoint, this short video describes Replacement Rate as equilibrium between consuming and replenishing resources. For example, cutting down trees to build homes, while planting more that, in time, renew supply. For a moment, ponder sustainability goals with farming, fishing, energy and healthcare. 

1 https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/index.htm
2 https://www.un.org/en/academic-impact/sustainability
With auditory systems, while regenerative therapies aim to make future Replacement Rates viable, preserving hearing acuities remains crucial. Today, how is hearing “replaced?”
While various technology solutions amplify auditory inputs, your trusted expertise on hearing conservation is vital, to wit, preventing NIHL. With a sense of purpose, we introduce Safer Soundscapes, Sustainable Hearing™ theme.

Soundscapes is a descriptive term which struck me when studying the landmark UN environment programme Frontiers 2022 report on Noises, Blazes and Mismatches, Emerging Issues of Environmental Concern.
“The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) defines a soundscape as ‘[the] acoustic environment as perceived or experienced and/or understood by a person or people, in context.’ In other words, soundscape encompasses the way people perceive, experience and respond to the full range of sounds in a place at a given time.3

For those eager to absorb in depth research, this enlightening Frontiers report inspires. Please read Foreward, then (pages 7-12) “Listening to cities, From noisy environments to positive soundscapes”. 3
It’s fascinating to see (page 13) diverse references from many impressive journals and resources. Inquiring minds from multiple disciplines are dedicated to promote awareness on Soundscape-related environmental risks. Among them:
  • Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 
  • Building and Environment
  • Noise Control Engineering Journal
  • International Journal of Acoustics and Vibration
  • Sleep Science
  • Journal of the American College of Cardiology
  • International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
  • Ethology Ecology & Evolution
This premiere article’s prelude: “Sounds are complex physical phenomena originating in the vibration from a source that propagates energy into a medium as an acoustic wave. Sounds happen continuously and are everywhere: there is no such thing as ‘silence’ on the planet. As physical phenomena, sounds are neither positive nor negative. They acquire meaning and produce an effect only when considered from the perspective of a listener. When sounds are unwanted, they become noise. When noises are too loud and persist too long, they become noise pollution. 

“Today, noise pollution is a major environmental problem, cited as a top environmental risk to health across all age and social groups and an addition to the public health burden. Prolonged exposure to high levels of noise impairs human health and well-being, which is a growing concern for both the public and policymakers.” 3
3 https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/38059
Wisdom is knowing what to do next.
Virtue is doing it.
—David Starr Jordan
Next week we will learn more about Soundscapes. Listen Up!
Bruce Essman
CEO
High Definition Impressions (HDI)



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