Inside Health

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BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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Factual: Health & Wellbeing

Series that demystifies health issues, bringing clarity to conflicting advice.

Series that demystifies health issues, separating fact from fiction and bringing clarity to conflicting health advice.

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Inside Health: Can noise harm our health?

Can noise harm our health?

BBC Radio 4 - Inside Health, Can noise harm our health?

We head into the lab to find out how unwanted sound can affect the body and brain.

We head into the lab to find out how living in a world of unwanted sound might be affecting our body and brain.

From ear-splitting aircraft noise and the drone of traffic to the hum of an open-plan office, the world around us can feel loud. 

But is it getting louder? And is this having any effect on our health - and even on how long we live? 

We find out when living close to a road, railway or airport might go from nuisance to health hazard, with potential effects on our sleep, heart health, mood and concentration. 

It’ll get loud as we do some tests in a lab to explore how unwanted sound might affect the rest of the body beyond our ears, and we sift through the growing research on the impact of noise. Who might be most at risk and why? 

We also find out why our reaction to noise might be about more than just volume - and we go in search of some simple tips to help.

Keep in touch with the Inside Health team at insidehealth@bbc.co.uk

Presenter: James Gallagher
Producer: Gerry Holt
Researcher: Amy Ringrose
Editor: Martin Smith
Production coordinator: Connor Morgans

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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Can noise harm our health?

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