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New York City - Study: Screeching Noise From NYC Roaring Trains Can Cause Hearing Loss |
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Researchers said that sound levels in some stations can reach up to 102.1 decibels -- that's at least 23 points above what human ears should safely endure, the American Journal of Public Health's study said.
It's as torturous as standing next to a constantly running chainsaw, according to University of Washington professor Richard Neitzel.
The deafening effect has left straphangers improvising their own ear protection.
Kathryn Fangsrud, a teacher, said she often has to get off the train or leave platforms because the screams of braking trains leaves her ears ringing long after she gets home.
"I plug them all the time. I've been doing this for five years. I'm afraid of permanent ear damage," she said at Columbus Circle yesterday.
If she's carrying too many shopping bags to cover up, her husband will block her ears.
But NYCT officials -- and the researchers themselves -- said that they've been making subway improvements to reduce noise since the 1970's.
Workers have welded rails differently, used newer kinds of brake shoes, installed efficient air conditioning units, and add "track lubrication along sharp curves," said spokesman Charles Seaton.
"Many subway stations now have noise absorbing barriers, as well as acoustic materials above and below the platforms," he added.
It's not just regular riders who have to worry, the study said.
"At the noise levels measured in the subway, exposures of a few hours to as little as two minutes a day would be expected to cause hearing loss," the report warned.
Normal conversation is 60 to 70 decibels, the report said, while about half of all subway trains exceeded 90 decibels.
Some riders said they try to drown out the rumble by playing soothing music on their iPods.
Will Martina, a musician, says he uses a Zen approach.
"When the train comes, I get as relaxed as I can -- It's a mental game I use to try to overcome the noise," he said. "But still it's annoying."
Manhattan stations were by far the worst, the researchers said, and the sounds of the subways were louder than any MTA buses or commuter-rail lines.
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Read Comments (14) — Post Yours »
1
Jul 04, 2009 at 10:58 PM i avoid walking on new utricht ave. Says:
thats why most conducters are wearnig ear plugs . btw i think the elevated subway on new utricht ave. is terribly noisy ,what a waste of enginering.when i came back of orlando disny land i was amazed of how quiet the elevated rails are overthere,
2
Jul 04, 2009 at 11:22 PM Anonymous Says:
"If she's carrying too many shopping bags to cover up, her husband will block her ears."
What a concept! I would have thought the husband would help carry the packages... :-)
3
Jul 04, 2009 at 11:27 PM Anonymous Says:
Try the trains in europe ! So quite you don't even hear them approaching for eg switzerland or london -i wish NY would learn the trade from them 1 day !
4
Jul 05, 2009 at 12:13 AM Mentsh Says:
“ thats why most conducters are wearnig ear plugs . btw i think the elevated subway on new utricht ave. is terribly noisy ,what a waste of enginering.when i came back of orlando disny land i was amazed of how quiet the elevated rails are overthere, ”
Yes but the elevated lines predate the subway by more than 20 years and they have been continuously used since the 1880s! At least they still work...
5
Jul 04, 2009 at 11:57 PM Nerves Says:
i think that MTA should fix/oil the breakes of there buses it makes so much noise like crazy!!!!!!
6
Jul 04, 2009 at 11:52 PM Anonymous Says:
"Some riders said they try to drown out the rumble by playing soothing music on their iPods. "
One can get isolating canalphone earphones that fit in the ear canal and do a good job of blocking outside noise, so one doesn't have to turn up the music to a dangerously loud level. While some of these are expensive, the cheapest decent one is probably the Sennheiser CX300 at around $26. Don't use isolating earphones when you need to hear what is going on around you.
7
Jul 05, 2009 at 12:13 AM Transit Buff Says:
“ thats why most conducters are wearnig ear plugs . btw i think the elevated subway on new utricht ave. is terribly noisy ,what a waste of enginering.when i came back of orlando disny land i was amazed of how quiet the elevated rails are overthere, ”
When they built that part of the subway somewhere around 1920, Orlando and Disney wasnt even a dream so there is no comparison!!
The younger the line, the less noisy it is.
8
Jul 05, 2009 at 12:12 AM Anonymous Says:
going to a chasunah is more dangerous, the music is louder.
9
Jul 05, 2009 at 07:53 AM Anonymous Says:
“ going to a chasunah is more dangerous, the music is louder. ”
ur right my husband had ringing in the ears all day after a wedding
10
Jul 05, 2009 at 09:10 AM Shulamit Says:
and they're coming to this conclusion *now*?
11
Jul 05, 2009 at 10:13 AM Wall Street Says:
The first and last stops of . J Train is at Broad st
they make such a lout pshhhh sound when the engage the brakes
that you jump for fear of the sudden loud noise
i think they should warn passengers on the platform waiting for a train
to ride.
12
Jul 05, 2009 at 09:34 AM Gevalt Says:
And where were they years ago??
What makes them wake up now??Hmm..This makes me wonder what is in our future??
13
Jul 05, 2009 at 09:26 AM ShatzMatz Says:
“ thats why most conducters are wearnig ear plugs . btw i think the elevated subway on new utricht ave. is terribly noisy ,what a waste of enginering.when i came back of orlando disny land i was amazed of how quiet the elevated rails are overthere, ”
You had to open your big mouth.....?
A Disney World monorail driver was killed after colliding with another train at the Orlando, Fla., park, according to officials.
The driver died early Sunday when he rear-ended another train at about 2 a.m. EDT.
The operator of the other monorail train was taken to the hospital, but was uninjured, according to a statement from the Reedy Creek Fire Department.
The first driver, who was not identified, had to be cut out of his cab and was pronounced dead at the scene, CFNews13.com reported.
Two employees and five guests on both trains were not injured.
Witnesses said the crash took place on the EPCOT track near the Disney World parking lot as people were leaving the park following a Fourth of July fireworks show.
"Today, we mourn the loss of our fellow cast member. Our hearts go out to his family and to those who have lost a friend and co-worker," Mike Griffin, Disney World's vice president of public affairs, said in a statement.
"The safety of our guests and cast members is always our top priority. The monorail is out of service as we continue to work closely with law enforcement to determine what happened and the appropriate next steps," Griffin said.
14
Jul 05, 2009 at 04:16 PM tema Says:
And how much money did it take for these folks to come to this conclusion ? In the middle of a recession / depression - what a waste!