Noise levels can be challenging in urban environments and can be a source of sensory overload. “Unwanted noises” such as traffic, sirens and even conversations can sometimes be deafening. Positive or negative, the sounds of our environment influence our lives. Human beings have a sound threshold ranging from 0 decibels to 140 dB, in which case we generally experience some level of associated pain and at 165 dB there may be permanent damage to the ear canal. In a report published by the EPA in 1974, the ideal noise level for us is around 55 dB outdoors and 45 dB indoors before there is "interference and annoyance from the noise." activity ". Levels should also not exceed 70 dB in a 24-hour period to avoid lifelong hearing loss or damage. For a little perspective on how this compares to real-world noises; a New York subway has been recorded at between 106 and 112 dB, while the level of a "babbling brook" is around 20 dB. While most would probably consider the sound of a "stream" to be a positive sound, many urban noises can have undesirable results. Sometimes the effect of this unwanted noise is small, such as the inability to hear a conversation, other times it has more detrimental consequences on the person's health and well-being, such as loss of sleep , a mood change, or a PTSD trigger. This disruption and exposure to negative sounds may require restoration. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The sound of water has a positive effect on the human brain and body. Human life begins in our mother's womb listening to sounds similar to the sound of the ocean. As if cosmically linked, the frequency and rhythm of water are like those of human breathing. Every year, people flock to the seaside, some just to hear the sound of waves crashing on land. For me, it's the sound of rain hitting a river or lake, the rush of water from paddling on water, and sometimes that dull "rustling" silence you get when your ears dip under the water surface. It's relaxing and calming, accompanied by a feeling of weightlessness that overwhelms the literal gravity of my actual being. Activity in the medial prefrontal cortex is triggered by the sound of water, the part of the brain strongly correlated with creativity, emotions, self-image and insight. The described emotions that arise when hearing or being near water are similar to those felt when listening to music, such as "joy, sadness, tension, wonder, tranquility, power, nostalgia , transcendence. The use of water features in urban environments can be used to attract people and provide a restorative moment. Parks with water features tend to be crowded with people, especially in the summer. Fountains can become landmarks or points of interest and sometimes a watering hole for local and passing birds and other wildlife. In Rome and Venice, Italy, it's easy to miss public fountains disguised as works of art. Water constantly flows from decorative fountains, providing locals or visitors with the opportunity to fill a water bottle and a moment of escape and refreshment. Even pocket parks located in urban environments where water flows or falls, such as Paley Park in New York, have the ability to muffle the surrounding sounds of the city, providing..