I think this article is interesting. Sound does indeed have a lot more influence than we tend to credit it with. Consider though the expression, "it's just noise" or another, "cut that noise" which are both expressions of dismissal, meaning that whatever was said, wasn't worth paying attention to. Noise pollution affects many animal populations in many environments, from what I understand. However, a while ago, I read an article about how the radio or tv can actually help people feel less stressed and isolated, but if I remember correctly, what they found was that it's the sound of human voices that causes the effect. If one considers the sense of hearing to be touch at a distance, in the way that smell is taste at a distance, then it makes more sense as human touch has a calming effect on the body. That said, I would not be surprised if a lot of tension and stress and stress related illnesses are caused by noise and noise outside of our audible range.