IELTS reading vocab.

An almost universalfad among young people, the pocket-sized radio-cassette player (commonlyknown by the brand name 'Walkman') may be exposing its owner togreater than the maximum safe dosage of noise recommended forindustrial workers - 90 decibels* over a period of 8 hours.

What may begin as an acute temporarycondition, in time becomes a chronic and irreversible disability.A common complaint is 'tinnitus', or a 'ringing in the ears'which fails to subside after the ears are subjected to a shortbut extreme dose of noise.

An almost universalfad among young people, the pocket-sized radio-cassette player (commonlyknown by the brand name 'Walkman') may be exposing its owner togreater than the maximum safe dosage of noise recommended forindustrial workers - 90 decibels* over a period of 8 hours.

An almost universalfad among young people, the pocket-sized radio-cassette player (commonlyknown by the brand name 'Walkman') may be exposing its owner togreater than the maximum safe dosage of noise recommended forindustrial workers - 90 decibels* over a period of 8 hours.

If silence is the cure for ailing ears(or, at least, the best way to prevent further deterioration ofone's hearing), it is sobering to realise that it is also theunfortunate and permanent curse of a lifetime of noise abusecaused by ignoring the warnings.

* decibel: standard unit of sound measurement

What may begin as an acute temporarycondition, in time becomes a chronic and irreversible disability.A common complaint is 'tinnitus', or a 'ringing in the ears'which fails to subside after the ears are subjected to a shortbut extreme dose of noise.

Paragraph 2 (Q.2) City and urban dwellers exist in anincreasingly noise-ridden environment, and it is now almostimpossible to escape exposure to high noise levels.

The problem ismost severe for males aged between 25 and 64 years of age, 9.1%of whom have a hearing disability, and for which the cause isconstant noise in 44.4% of cases.

The old adage extols the virtue ofsilence by claiming it is golden, yet experience tells us thatsilence is as hard to come by as the precious metal itself.

It is believed the composer Beethoven wasparticularly aggravated by this malady.

The old adage extols the virtue ofsilence by claiming it is golden, yet experience tells us thatsilence is as hard to come by as the precious metal itself.

Noiseis ever present in modern life and is an accumulative experience.The ill effects of noise pollution are of two kinds: acute -exposure to an individual instance of a very loud noise, such asa gunshot or explosion; and chronic - the experience of too muchnoise over an extended period of time.

At present, there islittle that can be done in the majority of cases, although thevictim might be able to obtain some temporary relief by using amasking device which blocks out the offending frequencies ofsound with other, less annoying frequencies.

What may begin as an acute temporarycondition, in time becomes a chronic and irreversible disability.A common complaint is 'tinnitus', or a 'ringing in the ears'which fails to subside after the ears are subjected to a shortbut extreme dose of noise.

According tothe survey, 24.6% of the 7.4% of persons with affected hearinghave problems caused by subjection to a constant barrage of noise,either at work, in the everyday living environment, or as theresult of a particular choice of leisure activity.

Noiseis ever present in modern life and is an accumulative experience.The ill effects of noise pollution are of two kinds: acute -exposure to an individual instance of a very loud noise, such asa gunshot or explosion; and chronic - the experience of too muchnoise over an extended period of time.

Noiseis ever present in modern life and is an accumulative experience.The ill effects of noise pollution are of two kinds: acute -exposure to an individual instance of a very loud noise, such asa gunshot or explosion; and chronic - the experience of too muchnoise over an extended period of time.

Data available from a recent survey conducted by theAustralian Bureau of Statistics show that 7.4% of people over 14years of age have some discernible hearing problem.

Paragraph 4 (Q.4) Of current concern to acousticalengineers and psychologists at the National AcousticsLaboratories in Sydney, Australia, is the potential for damage tothe eardrum caused by the transmission of loud sound throughearphones placed directly into the ear canal.

Paragraph 2 (Q.2) City and urban dwellers exist in anincreasingly noise-ridden environment, and it is now almostimpossible to escape exposure to high noise levels.

It is believed the composer Beethoven wasparticularly aggravated by this malady.

What is more, there is the dangerof falling asleep with the earphones inserted, leading to anaccumulation of excess noise while unconscious.

It is an exhausting condition that canseriously threaten the composure of the sufferer who can bedriven to near madness.

Thisdosage, called Dose 1, can be achieved much sooner by exposingthe ear to only slightly more than 90 decibels.

Noiseis ever present in modern life and is an accumulative experience.The ill effects of noise pollution are of two kinds: acute -exposure to an individual instance of a very loud noise, such asa gunshot or explosion; and chronic - the experience of too muchnoise over an extended period of time.

Finally, insertable earphones block the earcanal, thereby further increasing the noise level absorbed.

It is believed the composer Beethoven wasparticularly aggravated by this malady.

Paragraph 8 (Example) Inevitably, though, years ofexcessive noise accumulation take their toll and partial orcomplete deafness results.

Paragraph 4 (Q.4) Of current concern to acousticalengineers and psychologists at the National AcousticsLaboratories in Sydney, Australia, is the potential for damage tothe eardrum caused by the transmission of loud sound throughearphones placed directly into the ear canal.

Yet this precious commodity is no longer valued.

Paragraph 5 (Q.5) One danger posed to young ears isthat the peak sound level from these radio-cassette players isoften far too great; at high volume it is all too easy to receiveDose 1 in a short period of time.

Less superfluous noise; less impairment to thehearing.

Noiseis ever present in modern life and is an accumulative experience.The ill effects of noise pollution are of two kinds: acute -exposure to an individual instance of a very loud noise, such asa gunshot or explosion; and chronic - the experience of too muchnoise over an extended period of time.

It is an exhausting condition that canseriously threaten the composure of the sufferer who can bedriven to near madness.

If silence is the cure for ailing ears(or, at least, the best way to prevent further deterioration ofone's hearing), it is sobering to realise that it is also theunfortunate and permanent curse of a lifetime of noise abusecaused by ignoring the warnings.

* decibel: standard unit of sound measurement

Data available from a recent survey conducted by theAustralian Bureau of Statistics show that 7.4% of people over 14years of age have some discernible hearing problem.

Any further noise heard above90 decibels that day and the recipient is causing measurabledamage to his or her ears.

Even if weexclude the more obvious sources of noise pollution such as jetplane engines, road works, power tools, loud music at danceparties and so on, it is clear that noise is a constant and oftenunwelcome companion.

Paragraph 6 (Q.6) But perhaps the most alarmingpotential for danger caused by insertable earphones is the easewith which the listener can exceed the safe time length ofexposure to noise.

Paragraph 2 (Q.2) City and urban dwellers exist in anincreasingly noise-ridden environment, and it is now almostimpossible to escape exposure to high noise levels.

An almost universalfad among young people, the pocket-sized radio-cassette player (commonlyknown by the brand name 'Walkman') may be exposing its owner togreater than the maximum safe dosage of noise recommended forindustrial workers - 90 decibels* over a period of 8 hours.

Paragraph 2 (Q.2) City and urban dwellers exist in anincreasingly noise-ridden environment, and it is now almostimpossible to escape exposure to high noise levels.

An almost universalfad among young people, the pocket-sized radio-cassette player (commonlyknown by the brand name 'Walkman') may be exposing its owner togreater than the maximum safe dosage of noise recommended forindustrial workers - 90 decibels* over a period of 8 hours.

Data available from a recent survey conducted by theAustralian Bureau of Statistics show that 7.4% of people over 14years of age have some discernible hearing problem.

Paragraph 8 (Example) Inevitably, though, years ofexcessive noise accumulation take their toll and partial orcomplete deafness results.

Noiseis ever present in modern life and is an accumulative experience.The ill effects of noise pollution are of two kinds: acute -exposure to an individual instance of a very loud noise, such asa gunshot or explosion; and chronic - the experience of too muchnoise over an extended period of time.

The popular practice of 'layering'sound, by adding a louder source of noise to that which alreadyexists in order to mask it, merely compounds the problem.

Paragraph 8 (Example) Inevitably, though, years ofexcessive noise accumulation take their toll and partial orcomplete deafness results.

Increases to thedecibel level logarithmically shorten the exposure time requiredto reach a given dose.

An almost universalfad among young people, the pocket-sized radio-cassette player (commonlyknown by the brand name 'Walkman') may be exposing its owner togreater than the maximum safe dosage of noise recommended forindustrial workers - 90 decibels* over a period of 8 hours.

If silence is the cure for ailing ears(or, at least, the best way to prevent further deterioration ofone's hearing), it is sobering to realise that it is also theunfortunate and permanent curse of a lifetime of noise abusecaused by ignoring the warnings.

* decibel: standard unit of sound measurement

According tothe survey, 24.6% of the 7.4% of persons with affected hearinghave problems caused by subjection to a constant barrage of noise,either at work, in the everyday living environment, or as theresult of a particular choice of leisure activity.

The old adage extols the virtue ofsilence by claiming it is golden, yet experience tells us thatsilence is as hard to come by as the precious metal itself.

Paragraph 5 (Q.5) One danger posed to young ears isthat the peak sound level from these radio-cassette players isoften far too great; at high volume it is all too easy to receiveDose 1 in a short period of time.

What is more, there is the dangerof falling asleep with the earphones inserted, leading to anaccumulation of excess noise while unconscious.

At present, there islittle that can be done in the majority of cases, although thevictim might be able to obtain some temporary relief by using amasking device which blocks out the offending frequencies ofsound with other, less annoying frequencies.

Even if weexclude the more obvious sources of noise pollution such as jetplane engines, road works, power tools, loud music at danceparties and so on, it is clear that noise is a constant and oftenunwelcome companion.

We have only to walk through a suburbanshopping mall or department store, or catch a bus or train to besubjected to noise levels that a few decades ago would have beenconsidered beyond human endurance.

Paragraph 5 (Q.5) One danger posed to young ears isthat the peak sound level from these radio-cassette players isoften far too great; at high volume it is all too easy to receiveDose 1 in a short period of time.

If silence is the cure for ailing ears(or, at least, the best way to prevent further deterioration ofone's hearing), it is sobering to realise that it is also theunfortunate and permanent curse of a lifetime of noise abusecaused by ignoring the warnings.

* decibel: standard unit of sound measurement

According tothe survey, 24.6% of the 7.4% of persons with affected hearinghave problems caused by subjection to a constant barrage of noise,either at work, in the everyday living environment, or as theresult of a particular choice of leisure activity.

According tothe survey, 24.6% of the 7.4% of persons with affected hearinghave problems caused by subjection to a constant barrage of noise,either at work, in the everyday living environment, or as theresult of a particular choice of leisure activity.

Paragraph 3 (Q.3) Our noise level acceptance thresholdis rising in step with the number of persons developing hearingproblems.

The old adage extols the virtue ofsilence by claiming it is golden, yet experience tells us thatsilence is as hard to come by as the precious metal itself.

At present, there islittle that can be done in the majority of cases, although thevictim might be able to obtain some temporary relief by using amasking device which blocks out the offending frequencies ofsound with other, less annoying frequencies.

Paragraph 4 (Q.4) Of current concern to acousticalengineers and psychologists at the National AcousticsLaboratories in Sydney, Australia, is the potential for damage tothe eardrum caused by the transmission of loud sound throughearphones placed directly into the ear canal.

Finally, insertable earphones block the earcanal, thereby further increasing the noise level absorbed.

Paragraph 4 (Q.4) Of current concern to acousticalengineers and psychologists at the National AcousticsLaboratories in Sydney, Australia, is the potential for damage tothe eardrum caused by the transmission of loud sound throughearphones placed directly into the ear canal.

Noiseis ever present in modern life and is an accumulative experience.The ill effects of noise pollution are of two kinds: acute -exposure to an individual instance of a very loud noise, such asa gunshot or explosion; and chronic - the experience of too muchnoise over an extended period of time.

The old adage extols the virtue ofsilence by claiming it is golden, yet experience tells us thatsilence is as hard to come by as the precious metal itself.

Even if weexclude the more obvious sources of noise pollution such as jetplane engines, road works, power tools, loud music at danceparties and so on, it is clear that noise is a constant and oftenunwelcome companion.

If silence is the cure for ailing ears(or, at least, the best way to prevent further deterioration ofone's hearing), it is sobering to realise that it is also theunfortunate and permanent curse of a lifetime of noise abusecaused by ignoring the warnings.

* decibel: standard unit of sound measurement

Data available from a recent survey conducted by theAustralian Bureau of Statistics show that 7.4% of people over 14years of age have some discernible hearing problem.

Paragraph 4 (Q.4) Of current concern to acousticalengineers and psychologists at the National AcousticsLaboratories in Sydney, Australia, is the potential for damage tothe eardrum caused by the transmission of loud sound throughearphones placed directly into the ear canal.

Paragraph 2 (Q.2) City and urban dwellers exist in anincreasingly noise-ridden environment, and it is now almostimpossible to escape exposure to high noise levels.

Data available from a recent survey conducted by theAustralian Bureau of Statistics show that 7.4% of people over 14years of age have some discernible hearing problem.

According tothe survey, 24.6% of the 7.4% of persons with affected hearinghave problems caused by subjection to a constant barrage of noise,either at work, in the everyday living environment, or as theresult of a particular choice of leisure activity.

The problem ismost severe for males aged between 25 and 64 years of age, 9.1%of whom have a hearing disability, and for which the cause isconstant noise in 44.4% of cases.

At present, there islittle that can be done in the majority of cases, although thevictim might be able to obtain some temporary relief by using amasking device which blocks out the offending frequencies ofsound with other, less annoying frequencies.

If silence is the cure for ailing ears(or, at least, the best way to prevent further deterioration ofone's hearing), it is sobering to realise that it is also theunfortunate and permanent curse of a lifetime of noise abusecaused by ignoring the warnings.

* decibel: standard unit of sound measurement

We have only to walk through a suburbanshopping mall or department store, or catch a bus or train to besubjected to noise levels that a few decades ago would have beenconsidered beyond human endurance.

The old adage extols the virtue ofsilence by claiming it is golden, yet experience tells us thatsilence is as hard to come by as the precious metal itself.

At present, there islittle that can be done in the majority of cases, although thevictim might be able to obtain some temporary relief by using amasking device which blocks out the offending frequencies ofsound with other, less annoying frequencies.

For instance, to achieve Dose 1 in 4 hours,it is necessary to raise the decibel exposure level by a mere 3decibels.

Even if weexclude the more obvious sources of noise pollution such as jetplane engines, road works, power tools, loud music at danceparties and so on, it is clear that noise is a constant and oftenunwelcome companion.

Paragraph 4 (Q.4) Of current concern to acousticalengineers and psychologists at the National AcousticsLaboratories in Sydney, Australia, is the potential for damage tothe eardrum caused by the transmission of loud sound throughearphones placed directly into the ear canal.

Data available from a recent survey conducted by theAustralian Bureau of Statistics show that 7.4% of people over 14years of age have some discernible hearing problem.

The popular practice of 'layering'sound, by adding a louder source of noise to that which alreadyexists in order to mask it, merely compounds the problem.

Data available from a recent survey conducted by theAustralian Bureau of Statistics show that 7.4% of people over 14years of age have some discernible hearing problem.

Noiseis ever present in modern life and is an accumulative experience.The ill effects of noise pollution are of two kinds: acute -exposure to an individual instance of a very loud noise, such asa gunshot or explosion; and chronic - the experience of too muchnoise over an extended period of time.

Thebenefit of silence to the human ear is scientificallydemonstrable.

We have only to walk through a suburbanshopping mall or department store, or catch a bus or train to besubjected to noise levels that a few decades ago would have beenconsidered beyond human endurance.

Noiseis ever present in modern life and is an accumulative experience.The ill effects of noise pollution are of two kinds: acute -exposure to an individual instance of a very loud noise, such asa gunshot or explosion; and chronic - the experience of too muchnoise over an extended period of time.

For instance, to achieve Dose 1 in 4 hours,it is necessary to raise the decibel exposure level by a mere 3decibels.

Noiseis ever present in modern life and is an accumulative experience.The ill effects of noise pollution are of two kinds: acute -exposure to an individual instance of a very loud noise, such asa gunshot or explosion; and chronic - the experience of too muchnoise over an extended period of time.

Paragraph 6 (Q.6) But perhaps the most alarmingpotential for danger caused by insertable earphones is the easewith which the listener can exceed the safe time length ofexposure to noise.

Noiseis ever present in modern life and is an accumulative experience.The ill effects of noise pollution are of two kinds: acute -exposure to an individual instance of a very loud noise, such asa gunshot or explosion; and chronic - the experience of too muchnoise over an extended period of time.