The constant hum of generators: how background noise exhausts the nervous system and why we don't notice it

For the fourth year in a row, Russians have been deliberately shelling Ukrainian cities and destroying critical infrastructure. The absence of electricity has become part of everyday life, as has the hum of generators. They are everywhere – in courtyards, near shops, offices, and under the windows of residential buildings. Their sound has become so familiar that we have almost stopped noticing it. But our brain has not. For the nervous system, this background noise is not neutral.What happens to the brain when it hears the hum of a generator every day, how does it affect anxiety, sleep, and the ability to recover? LIGA.net We interviewed neurologist and psychotherapist Olga Glinska in detail. Read the full version of the conversation with explanations on how to minimize the harmful effects of noise pollution for yourself by subscribing.Why the hum of generators can't be "just ignored"Generators primarily create a low-frequency, monotonous vibrational hum, explains Olga Glinska. Even if a person seems to have gotten used to it, auditory receptors constantly send signals to the reticular formation of the brainstem – a key structure that regulates the level of activation of the nervous system.As a result, the nervous system is in a state of constant excitement. This disrupts the balance between the processes of excitation and inhibition in the cerebral cortex, which can lead to rapid neuronal exhaustion."In other words, even in a relatively safe space, the brain doesn't receive the 'all clear' signal," the expert explains.Research confirm that constant noise, even of low intensity, can affect the cerebral cortex, increase heart rate, and raise stress hormone levels.Noise as an extension of wartime stressDuring the war, acoustic stress is added to the already existing psychological stress: explosions, air raid sirens, and news of shelling."This activates" hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis...which is responsible for the stress response. Constant stimulation leads to a chronic increase in cortisol, which creates background anxiety. A person is not always aware of its cause. This is a physiological reaction to an acoustic stimulus, not just "emotional weakness," says Olga Glinska.Constant activation load is associated with an increased risk of developing anxiety and depressive disorders, as shown by International research..Why it's harder to work and think in the presence of generatorsWhen the city is buzzing with generators, the brain is forced to constantly filter out extraneous signals. According to the doctor, this work is performed by the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for concentration, planning, and analytical thinking.In other words, when a person is in an environment with constant low-frequency noise, as is the case with generators, their brain is forced to simultaneously process useful information and suppress "noise" signals.Noise suppression is an energy-consuming process. When resources are depleted, distraction and a "foggy" brain appear, and the speed of decision-making and the ability for logical thinking decrease. That is, the brain works more, but its efficiency drops, explains Glinska.Studies confirm that even moderate background noise can reduce cognitive performance, attention, and working memory. For example, German researchers In 2008, it was found that the work performance of adults performing concentration tasks decreased by 15–25% in the presence of constant noise, and the information processing speed decreased by 10–20%.Similar results were obtained American scientists in studies of the noise environment in classrooms and laboratory settings. Then, in 2011, they found that prolonged background noise significantly reduces working memory and attention, even if the task is not physically demanding.In the long term, constant noise pollution can cause cognitive exhaustion and psycho-emotional burnout, even if a person is not physically overloaded. This is especially true for cities during power outages, when generators run for many hours a day, creating a constant monotonous hum.How generators affect sleep in cities without a stable power supply"Even if the noise doesn't fully wake you up, it triggers micro-awakenings that disrupt the sleep structure. During these awakenings, the deep sleep phase, or delta sleep, when brain restoration and memory consolidation occur, is shortened," explains the neurologist and psychotherapist.Olga Glinska adds that due to the constant background hum, the brain remains in a state of heightened alertness, and circadian rhythms are disrupted: during the day, a person feels exhausted and sleepy, and in the evening it becomes more difficult to fall asleep.This disrupts the natural balance of sleep hormones – melatonin and cortisol – which deepens feelings of anxiety and reduces cognitive efficiency throughout the day.Generators help the city survive during power outages, but their noise adds a constant strain on the nervous system, which needs to be compensated for through silence and restorative practices.Read alsoHow to get quality sleep: seven mistakes that make you wake up tiredSigns that the nervous system cannot withstand the noise loadOlga Glinska identified the most typical symptoms:Asthenia – constant fatigue in the morning, even after a night's sleep; a person feels a lack of energy and gets tired more quickly during the day.Tension headache – A sensation as if the head is being squeezed by a "hoop," which worsens after prolonged exposure to a noisy environment.Hyperacusis – Increased sensitivity to sounds, where even quiet or familiar sounds are irritating and cause tension.Vegetative reactions – sweating, unstable pulse, indigestion, sometimes a feeling of "increased anxiety" for no apparent reason.Who is most vulnerable to generator noise?According to the neurologist, the tolerance threshold is individual. However, the following are particularly sensitive to the constant hum of generators:People with migraines – Noise can trigger more frequent or severe attacks, intensify headaches, and increase nervous excitability.Patients with the consequences of traumatic brain injuries – Even a small amount of noise can overload the nervous system, impair concentration, and exacerbate the symptoms of trauma.People with heightened sensory sensitivity – especially to sounds, light, or tactile stimuli; they are more prone to fatigue, irritability, and nervous tension.Glinska emphasizes that in such cases, noise pollution accumulates faster and can provoke panic attacks, psycho-vegetative crises, or sudden outbursts of anxiety, even if there is no real danger.Practical ways to protect the nervous system from constant noiseThere are ways to reduce its negative impact on the nervous system, says Olga Glinska:Creating "islands of silence" – using active noise-canceling (ANC) headphones, which generate an anti-wave to neutralize the generator's hum. Such short breaks in silence allow the brain to recover and reduce overall anxiety.Sound mask – using "white" or "brown" noise. They create a uniform acoustic background that the brain can more easily ignore than the chaotic hum of a generator, which helps reduce the energy spent on filtering out noise.Magnesium support for the nervous system – Constant noise can deplete magnesium stores, affecting the stability of neuronal membranes and the excitability of the nervous system. Glinska recommends forms with high bioavailability, such as magnesium citrate or glycinate, to support nervous system stability and reduce symptoms of anxiety and tension.The expert emphasizes that combining these methods helps reduce cognitive load, improve concentration, and decrease emotional fatigue, even if the generator operates for several hours a day.Why silence becomes a resource for survivalIn times of war, silence is not just about comfort; even short periods of calm without gadgets and noise, lasting 15–20 minutes, help reduce adrenaline levels, calm the nervous system, and restore psychological balance, notes the neurologist.Prolonged periods of silence, about two hours a day, can help restore brain areas responsible for memory, emotional control, and concentration, as well as reduce cognitive fatigue and anxiety."Generators help cities survive, but the price of this adaptation is a constant strain on the psyche, which should be recognized and compensated for," the expert concludes.Read alsoSleepless night due to air raid sirens: what to do to regain clarity and strength