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Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health says that your daily subway commute can be hazardous to your hearing. Dr. Robyn Gershon announced the findings of a study which found that noise from the platform and inside cars exceeds safe limits. We suppose that listening to intense jackhammering and construction while waiting for weekend subway service also puts us at risk. Here's some interesting news from the study:
Average and maximum noise measurements were made using a precision sound level meter on subway platforms located in the four New York boroughs with underground subways (Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens). The average maximum noise level on subway platforms measured was 94 decibels (dBA). The average maximum inside of subway cars was 95 dBA, and at bus stops, the average maximum was 84 dBA. For comparison, approximate levels of familiar sounds are: 45-60 dBA for normal conversation, 100 dBA for a chainsaw and 140 dBA for a gunblast. The logarithmic nature of decibels means that every 10 dBA equals a 10 fold increase in intensity. Thus a 90 dBA sound is 10 times as intense as an 80 dBA sound.Did you hear that? Not only are you riding in a tin can that sounds like a chainsaw, your iPod could also be making you deaf. And we knew we liked laughing at people who cover their ears on the subway for a reason."Several factors have the potential to contribute to hearing loss, including years of ridership, frequency of ridership, and length of rides," observes Dr. Gershon. If a rider is exposed to other high noise-level activities such as a personal listening device, the potential for hearing loss is even greater." Dr. Gershon further notes that even short exposures to very high noise levels can cause the same amount of damage as much longer exposures at lower levels...
...Because excessive noise exposure can ultimately result in noise induced hearing loss, Dr. Gershon notes that risk reduction is the best strategy. Many steps have been taken and continue to be taken by large transit systems, including the Metropolitan Transit Authority, to help reduce subway noise. Steps that individuals can take include the use of personal hearing protection devices (e.g., earplugs and earmuffs). The use of cotton or fingers only reduces the noise levels slightly. The use of personal listening devices, which many may think is protective, can actually contribute to noise exposure if they are played at high volumes. Public education and awareness on hearing protection in general, is highly recommended.
amNew York reported the NYC Transit Authority's naturally defensive response: The study is "fundamentally flawed due to inadequate research. It fails to take into account several noise abatement measures that have been undertake." (The NYCTA says "improved track and wheel technology to cut the noise levels.")
Photograph by bhaggs on Flickr
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Actually, I think the horrible screeching of the trains as they rounded corners has been abated.
Often I am trying to listen to music on the platforms, and I think "once I get into the train it will be better." Some trains are indeed quiet and some (due to air conditioning, I think) are noisy.
I don't understand this statement:
'The study is "fundamentally flawed due to inadequate research. It fails to take into account several noise abatement measures that have been undertake" (sic).'
If the study measures decibels, by default it is taking into account abatement measures. WTF kind of logic is that?
FINALLY! I was always appalled that Bloomberg ignored subway tunnel noise during the peak of his "quality of life" campaigns. I'd always heard that maintenance cutbacks were to blame, and if you've ever noticed the horrible screeching of transit bus brakes, you might well believe that.
The screeching of the metal wheels on the tracks is excruciating. We really need trains, like those in the Paris Métro, with rubber wheels.
Of course I knew subway noise was dangerous. I have the tinnitus to prove it. And, yes, using loud iPods earbuds to try to drown out the noise is stupid, but I prefer using my sealed AKG K27i headphones, which block some outside noise so I don't have to turn the iPod up. Earbuds suck.
I don't laugh at people who cover their ears on the subway, because I am often one of them. There are times when it just gets so loud that it becomes disturbing and painful. I admit I am probably more sensitive to loud noises than most people, but sometimes I just have to take action. I know it's dorky as hell, but I think I'll actually consider wearing earplugs on the subway from now on.
leslie, i don't think the mayor's office has any control over the MTAs budget, it's independent from the city
Yes, lets spend billions of dollars to make the NYC Subway rubber wheeled like Paris Métro, because the stations are not falling apart and we are all riding the Second Avenue Subway right now.
time to ban trans fats on the subway
Instead of covering your ears why not just change cars? I saw this woman on the train one day who held her ears for a whole half hour. All because of the kids on the train singing songs and having what they consider a good time.
Do the newstands in the subway still sell those EARZ plugs? Sounds like earplugs are a great idea.
I'll get the orange/beige colored ones and have people think it's a hearing aid. I'll respond saying "What?" everytime a candy seller or solicitor asks me a question.
Union Station is by far the worst. The 4/5/6 line makes the loudest, most piercing sound I think I have ever heard. It must be because of that curve the line makes there, but then there has to be some cost-effective technology to mitigate the problem. If not rubber wheels, then something, please.
Insert Lawsuite here, I can see some poor minority filing a 100 Million Dollar lawsuit with the help of a big name law firm. Most of the damages will be due to he can no longer sing. Thats right, he was just a nice kid who wanted to help people and sing his rap music, he was on the verge of signing a record deal worth millions and was going to buy his mom a house. But alas, due to the forced riding of the subway he will never realize his dream and never buy his mom that house. Predicted Jury Award is $92,093,142.92. I'm calling it right now.....
What is notmentioned are the hazardous levels of air pollutants int eh subways as well. The brake pads on teh cars are made of asbestos!!
The EPA pretends to test hte air and gives it a passing mark because to close the subways is not an option and to fix them is too expensive..
Hilton is so right. IThe sound of the 4/5/6 is like nails on a blackboard heighten to the millioneth power. Or something like that. I can't stand it.
Hilton - I'm with you. 14th Street is unbelievably loud.
Ugh.......Union Square....easily the worst.
I personally use cottonballs when I ride the "E"train in the morning . It's all about finding a solution to the problem !
I'm not sure what minorities have to do with noise on the subway. But Chris [13] is apparently a very angry person and may not be familiar with Gothamist's comment policy regarding racist comments.
Try hearing the sound when the R32 "E" train hits the brakes
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
I've worn earplugs on my subway commute ever since I moved to NYC. Nothing fancy, just the bright yellow, soft foam kind (29db reduction or so they say). A big box of 200 pairs will run you @ $20 and will last for years.
I second the nomination of Union Square as the loudest subway station in the system. That squealing as the green line trains come around the corner is unbearable. It just drills through your brain. Try having to deal with that at 8:30AM on a workday...with a hangover...
CLOSED HEADPHONES, people. Your white earbuds, in addition to screaming "steal me," do NOT protect your ears and the volume from them adds to the damage. Closed headphones with LOW-volume music.
Good closed phones: I use Ultrasone DJ1 for pleasure listening & they provide excellent protectino.
Another good choice would be any phones that do active noise reduction, as long as they are CLOSED (a.k.a. sealed), not open design.
Hey, [10], great suggestion. Why not change cars? Because it's the same in every car, that's why. On an occasion or two I have literally gone back and forth through the entire train and couldn't find even one car that didn't have someone blaring their stupid iPods. The early evening rush hour A/C/E riders are particularly awful.
i wear earplugs on the train, and am constantly amazed that pretty much nobody else does this; i think i've seen one other person once.
I see more people wear earplugs at concerts than I do in the subway. I have plenty of ears and eyes since I work construction but do admit the plugs can get uncomfortable.
Unless you get them custom fit.