Sound pollution. I recently studied the subject in my AP Environmental Science class, and found that its effects could be detrimental, yet no one is focusing on any type of prevention. This problem is worth solving for the future of hearing, concentration and stress. After reading about a study based on sound pollution in my AP Seminar class, I haven't stopped thinking about it the issues that are hiding in plain sight. The study was based in elementary schools and compared children learning a formula in a math classroom surrounded by construction and sound to children learning that same formula in a math classroom with sound-proofed walls. As one could guess, the students that had learned in the noise-filled classroom came to class a day later and weren't able to recall the formula or its function very well. In comparison, the students in the sound-proofed classroom were able to recall what they had learned at a much higher level. Now, my thought process darted to driving, as I have experienced sensory overload while learning to drive in the past. I had never expected pushing a pedal and turning a steering wheel to require so much detail and attention when I first started driving, it was quite a shock. Since I read those articles, my mind has been overwhelmed with thoughts like: Why aren't cars made to block out sound? Are people experiencing hearing loss healthier than people with perfect/near-perfect hearing? If deaf people are able to drive, is their concentration better than people dealing with noise-pollution? Should noise-cancelling headphones be legal to wear while driving? Headache-inducing questions - I know. I would love to see (or be a part of) more research on this problem and more solutions to it from that research. Of course, product-development would be a hope as well. Truthfully, I didn't realize how much this was dominating my mind until I began to type this essay, and now I believe this problem desperately needs to be more understood. I would really enjoy brainstorming about this if you are interested, you can search my contact information up on google (The Cotton Candy Girl - SF). Thanks for your time and interest!