Noise

When considering noise in relation to sound, what is commonly meant is meaningless background sound of greater than usual volume. However, in the study of effect of noise on health, the “noise” may mean any traumatic sounds (such as weapon noise in the field and pure tones at high intensity used in animal experiments in the lab to induce cochlear disruptions) and unwanted sounds (such as loud music from neighbors). This chapter lists books and review papers that discuss auditory (and also non-auditory) effects of acoustic noise published since 1990. To fully appreciate scientific reports of noise-induced injuries in the ear, a basic understanding of acoustics, anatomy of the ear (especially the cochlea), and auditory physiology is required. A few of the listed books provide fundamental acoustics and anatomy/physiology of the ear. The chapter also lists journals, in which research papers of noise-induced hearing loss are usually published.