Even the U.S. government considers this “noise pollution,” especially when the music is cranked up. Not only has the National Institutes of Health warned about hearing loss from exposure to loud noises - including music blasting into one’s ear - but the Environmental Protection Agency has even issued warnings about the effects of “unwanted or disturbing sound.”

The latest warning reads: “Sound becomes unwanted when it either interferes with normal activities such as sleeping, conversation, or disrupts or diminishes one’s quality of life. The fact that you can’t see, taste or smell it may help explain why it has not received as much attention as other types of pollution, such as air pollution or water pollution. The air around us is constantly filled with sounds, yet most of us would probably not say we are surrounded by noise. This ‘annoyance’ can have major consequences, primarily to one’s overall health.”

Music can be soothing or savage. When it comes to their space, many people prefer a third option: peace and quiet.