Three months ago I embarked on an anti-noise campaign in Nevis. The intrusions of unnecessarily over-amplified music and other sounds have become so pervasive, that the aural landscape in certain areas is often a painful, or at best, an annoying experience for many people.
This is especially true for those whose homes are regularly inundated, invaded, or saturated with unwanted sounds emanating from souped-up cars patrolling the area, or stationary deejay equipment nearby. I am also concerned about the harmful effects that exposure to loud music can have on young children. I firmly believe that some hearing problems, learning problems and attitude problems can be the result of regular doses of loud music.
I am fully aware that some people do not agree with my comments and wish I would just shut up instead of writing week after week about the same blasted issue. And quite frankly, I would shut up if someone could prove to me that I am wrong in my perceptions about the effects that loud music can have, the damage and grief it can cause and the extreme annoyance, bother, emotional and financial difficulty for some who try to escape from the din. But when I started the anti-noise campaign, I had expected that some people with influence in the community would take notice and publicly state their opinions on the matter. I assume that some influential people read this paper and must be aware, or must somehow have heard of what I’ve been saying and felt that my comments should either be supported or ridiculed. Am I wrong to expect anything like that to happen?
Why shouldn’t somebody in the medical field or Health Department in Nevis step up and state what the prevailing view about the effects of loud music is in international health circles. Or why doesn’t somebody concerned with education similarly come forward and let the community know that loud music can be an impediment to proper study and may contribute to loss of concentration and poor performance in the classroom.
Doesn’t anyone understand the importance this issue? On the other hand, if I am wrong and the effects of loud music and other noises are actually beneficial for the young child, the student, the elderly and the homeowner even though he may prefer peace and quiet, then it would make a lot of sense for the proper authority to point out where I have gone wrong in my public ravings, and assure everyone that loud music is good for them and I don’t know what I am talking about!
Nevis is too small a place for those of us who desire peace and quiet to get far enough away from all the noise which is so rapidly spreading. It seems rather ridiculous for the authorities to allow the importation and use of devices which are designed for only one purpose; to produce as much noise as possible. There are already too many of these devices in circulation in Nevis and St.Kitts, being used indiscriminately by too many people who either don’t understand or just don’t care how much damage or discomfort they may cause others.
These devices bring nothing of value to the community. They bring distraction to the studious, headache and frustration to the elderly or those individuals who need peace and quiet, and condition young minds to adapt and become receptive to loudness, lewdness, and aggressiveness. No understanding, sympathy, or respect is shown towards those who are sensitive and suffer unfairly from sounds inflicted on them by devices over which they have no control. That trend is not one of upliftment, but clearly is a degradation of our society. If I am wrong in my assessment of things, then perhaps some doctor, lawyer, educator, or other professional out there can publicly state what the truth is. The contact number for the anti-noise campaign is 469-1424 or 765-3559. As for Amba Trott.
