The Noisy Ape

First broadcast February 2005
Mankind has spent the entire last century making itself louder. A great deal louder. But why? And what are the consequences?

Louise Fryer investigates in this four-part series on BBC World Service.

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PARTS IN THE SERIES:

Part 1: Noise means power"Can over-powering noise be pleasurable?"

Part 2: Noise is bad for you"What can be done to protect us?"

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Read & Listen

Part 3: Noise can be curbed"Taking noise pollution seriously"

Part 4: Noise is big business"Research into noise reduction"

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Read & Listen

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Part 4: Noise is big business

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Manufacturing CD and MP3 players, radios, TV sets and all the rest of modern sound technology is big business, but there is just as much money to be made from fighting noise: noise-cancelling headphones, ear plugs and white-noise CDs all sell well.

The EU has funded more than 450 research studies concerning noise, while the Dutch government alone has allocated 110 million Euro for research into measures which would reduce traffic noise.

Some of the measures - such as banning noisy tyres - would cost nothing. So why aren't they being implemented everywhere?

Constant low-level noise such as that produced by most PCs can also have significant effect on our health and productivity. But how can you tell if the PC you are buying is quiet?

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