At some airports, there are catchall return spots serving several rental car companies, but they may be one or two miles from the airport. Noise in the workplace is the subject of government rulings, hearing conversation programs, and devices for personal protection. Concerts, airplanes, trucks, cars, lawn movers, power tools, even alarm clocks and televisions a constant cacophony that s bound to take its toll. Ten percent of junior and senior high school students show hearing loss, and the figure is increasing. A major threat to young people s hearing is the use of personal stereo systems at too high a volume.
Adults use loud machines in place of the quiet muscle power of previous generations.
Instead of raking leaves, they use a blower. Instead of a rotary mower, they use power mowers. People are blasted with aerobics music instead of taking a quiet walk. About one in every 10 adults is regularly exposed to sound loud enough to impair their hearing either at work or a home. Noise can destroy the cells in the inner ear.