Is life too loud for most of us?

I'll often have a playlist on in the background while I am working at my computer. Maybe it helps me focus, or maybe it's just habit from always having music playing while massage patients during the "hands-on" part of my career. But there does come a point in the day when I MUST turn it off, when even music turns to noise and gets irritating. 

Some scientists say all sound that is detected by the human brain stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and prepares us for fight/flight. Noise pollution is a common topic with city planners and a common irritant for those who live in more urban or industrialized communities. Perhaps this pollution is more than just an irritant. Maybe it is actually increasing our stress levels. 

"It may seem like just an annoyance, but noise has an impact on our bodies"

After reading this article from the CBC's White Coat Black Art - The Dose, I wondered if ALL sound is in fact a stressor, or if some sound, like the music we tend to play during a massage session, lowers our stress. After all, it would counterproductive to expose our patients to a stressor while we are trying to reduce their sympathetic nervous system firing. Maybe lower decibels or certain frequencies actually improve brain function or help us cope with stress. There is certainly music out there that can bring an immediate smile to my face and feels peaceful and nostalgic, but there is also the kind that instantly makes me angry and threaten violence if it is not shut off, now!

"For decades, research has shown that rates of cardiovascular disease are elevated among people who are exposed to higher levels of noise." 

I wonder how many therapists ask their patients what they would like to listen to, if anything at all. I've heard of patients requesting surprising choices, outside of the normal genres, like heavy metal or hip hop. If there are certain frequencies that relax us, do they vary per person? Do you give your patients the option of no background music? Do you offer earplugs? Would you consider it? You'd have to agree before the session to a signal indicating you have a question for your patient so they can remove the earplugs, or make sure they know to still speak up if anything becomes uncomfortable. 

For myself, when I visit my mom's place in rural Nova Scotia, I can't help but remark on how quiet it is, especially at night. I certainly feel more relaxed when I'm there, but that could be attributed to many things, not just the lack of decibels. But in the interest of science, I am going to wear earplugs the next time I get a massage. Maybe it will deepen my relaxation, drop my sympathetic activity, and give my brain 60 minutes of quiet.