Traffic and aircraft noises are the main expressions of this kind of violence, and though much has been done, much more remains to be done. However, as a result of the growth and spread of traffic in space and time, no significant improvements have been detected as regards to total exposure to environmental noise.6 Noteworthy, to date there is no widespread approach to control traffic noise as a collective phenomenon.7 Most local or federal regulations fix limits on individual noise emissions but do not even consider the effect of multiple vehicles circulating along a street at the same time. Once more, the economic issue is the prime concern in the design of noise policies. Individual transportation should be discouraged and be gradually replaced by public transportation, which may undergo better controls regarding both technical conditions to circulate and schedule. Moreover, the use of individual vehicles implies not only noise pollution but air pollution as well.
Recreational noise is another form of acoustic violence.
Environmental noise disturbs this listening, so there is a natural tendency to resort to the psychoacoustic effect called masking, increasing the volume so that music masks the noise. This allows the individual to enjoy sound quality while background noise is made virtually inaudible. This early hearing loss makes youngsters raise the volume of the music in order to derive the same auditory sensation they would get without such impairment. This, in turn, creates a great demand for unnecessary and even dangerous consumer goods. The layperson often ignores almost everything about the risks involved in the irresponsible use of such devices.