A recent study in New York shows the potential for what our American friends call mass transit noise exposure to exceed World Health Organisation limits. What this means is that travelling by tube, train bus or car can subject commuters and especially operators to high levels of noise exposure, over a period of time this can cause a noise-induced hearing loss. The study was carried out by a team of scientists from the University of Washington and the Columbia University Department of Sociomedical Sciences using noise dosimetry to measure time-integrated noise levels in a representative sample of New York City mass transit systems aboard transit vehicles and at vehicle boarding platforms or terminals, during June and July 2007. "Of the transit types evaluated, subway cars and platforms had the highest associated equivalent continuous average and maximum noises levels. All transit types had noise levels well above 70dBA (decibels), the threshold at which a noise-induced hearing is considered possible." They went on to recommend: "Environmental noise-control efforts in mass transit and, in cases in which controls are infeasible, the use of personal hearing protection would benefit the ridership's hearing health."

Personal ear protection is available in a variety of styles from disposable, to custom made silicone ear protection and communication devices with filters to help you hear in noisy environments, while cutting out harmful loud noises.

Source: Noise Levels Associated With New York City's Mass Transit Systems. Richard Neitzel, Robyn R.M. Gershon, Marina Zeltser, Allison Canton, Muhammad Akram. American Journal of Public Health.