For anyone who feels the world is getting louder and louder, the facts are certainly there to support this notion. As more and more research is conducted on the volume of arteries in large cities, a school of thought is emerging that makes it clear that life in a city is getting very noisy and somewhat distracting. In major metropolitan areas around the world, the decibel level at major intersections is sometimes louder than the equivalent of an hour-long jackhammer outside the window. And for anyone who lives in such an environment, it’s the kind of sound that definitely leaves its mark.
At the same time, however, worrying about hearing alone isn’t enough to keep most people from leaving the city, where the hustle and bustle of energy is only part of the reasons people stay. here. After all, cities are at the heart of cultural movements and offer many more jobs than quaint rural towns. Even if the racket pushes people to the wall – which it often is – there is often no way to choose to pack everything just for greener pastures.
For those who may be out of town on the weekends or not at all, there is a responsibility for the ears and well-being. One of the easiest ways to avoid hearing loss in a large urban environment is to choose wise battles wisely. Riding the subway in the morning may be more enjoyable with the sounds of personal music selection on headphones, but most of the time, the headphones in question do not cover all of the white noise of the commute. Turning up the volume does more harm than good. Deciding to leave the music business on public transport is an easy way to reduce the risk of hearing loss. Plus, other commuters will look at you a lot less.
At the same time, it’s important not to clash with neighbors who are fighting loudly or who might bring TVs and stereos to ungodly levels. At home, putting on noise canceling headphones is often the best choice to keep your hearing and your peace of mind. Since everyone is in the same boat in a house, it makes sense not to get into a volume situation in which dual stereo systems are competing. It just creates stress for everyone involved, and loud noises, even from a stereo, can have a serious negative impact on the ears over time.
Of course, newer city apartments can be very satisfying, especially buildings that were built after the 1980s when much thicker glass and generally more user-friendly sound insulation was needed for coding. Likewise, for anyone who lives in an apartment on the ground floor but can afford to look for a place elsewhere, moving to the upper floors means having the chance to escape the noise of the street. So it can not only do wonders for hearing, but also for sleep plans, stress levels, and overall satisfaction.