Why Noise Pollution Is More Dangerous Than We Think | The Backstory | The New Yorker

David Owen reports on noise pollution, an intangible phenomenon with serious costs to human health and wildlife.

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Why Noise Pollution Is More Dangerous Than We Think | The Backstory | The New Yorker

[sylviem.]

Loud motorcycles should be illegal. They are so painful and stressful for people on the sidewalk whose ears get blasted. If they are waking up people who are surrounded by a building, you know it's damaging the ears of people outside with no ptotection.

[chopin]

My loud neighbors drove me here. Sometimes it is like torture. And I can't get my landlord to do anything about it.

[adrienlac]

I live in Nice, France and sound pullution is everywhere, motorcycles, cars, sirens, the level is quite astonishing for such a small city

[donnaschnare]

As a hearing aid wearer who still suffers I plead with society to get real with this. Restaurants are awful, people should understand that you should look at the person you are speaking to and speak clearly. Believe me those of us with hearing loss do not like this either and appreciate your understanding and patience. I can no longer appreciate music - it all sounds like noise and this is terribly depressing. We are much better at reporting the horrible noise pollution but we are way behind on doing anything about it. I use SoundPrint and report to restaurants when I am there. I get it that they think the noise will encourage people to not stay so long and they will make a profit on the damage this noise is doing. I am so thankful for my hearing aids that are blue toothed through my phone so that I can get my phone calls and listen to the TV - otherwise I cannot interpret what words are coming out of the speaker. Thank you for this but let’s see some action.

[brushstroke]

3:00 - 4:00 AM is the best time of the day where I live - it's the only time I can enjoy quiet.

[dawnemile]

We live in a democracy but people who selfishly make loud noises rip away the rights of the majority to enjoy life. I've noted a trend in the small city that I live in by certain idiot people to modify their mufflers on cars and bikes with the adverse effect on thousands of people at once that you noted in your video. Unless law enforcement takes this problem seriously in the city of Abbotsford, B.C. Canada where I live I will have to move. In addition, this weekend there were 7 helicopters circling overhead for hours each day. Probably accumulating hours for trainee pilots. Then there is the lawnmowing for hours every Friday morning. All of these people feel that they have the right to make the noise that they do. It should be legislated against just like smoking. Making excessive noise is just another manifestation of the growing aggression and mental health problems in today's world. I would like to become an activist in putting an end to this problem. Anyone want to sign up?

[ohmyblindman]

Oh great, another thing trying to kill me.

[PraveenSrJ]

Noise pollution is completely out of control in this country and in the world 🌎 today that someone needs to hit the reset button and start over because the noises are getting really annoying and out of control

[NeyPenido]

Loud and constant noise just drain my energy. My brain gets so tired that I start to get sleepy -tired, I´d say exhausted is more accurate.

[calpal]

Great info. I live in San Antonio, TX and the "car culture" down here is insane. SO many extremely loud cars and motorcycles everywhere, at all times... day and night. It's unbelievably annoying. Too bad law enforcement won't do anything about it.

[adatsu]

My neighbor has two two years old around boys. They use hard toys to hit doors, walls, and use turning shovel to hit floor for fun. The mother said nothing about their making loud noice. They also play children's music in high volume. I think I am about to have a mental breakdown when I myself have a lot of pressure on life.

[ElenEmma]

It’s unbelievable how loud my area is. Considering how small the street is.

[curious]

Best video about Sound Pollution on YouTube.

[catalinacurio]

Neighbour has a very loud yapping dog driving me nuts, been going on for two years now, I love dogs but sometimes I wants to slap the owner hard, especially at 2am.

[KyleGrayYoung]

As a hyperacusis sufferer, I feel the need to say that we can definitely do without the sound effects. Especially in an important video like this about the dangers of noise. The part with the gunshot and tinnitus effects around :30-:35 are absolutely uncalled for. You can do better than this, New Yorker!

[TheRealKimJUn]

Maybe its time for Humans to die out and give away to all the other animals that we harmed.

[tomasbeltran]

1:30 Les Blomberg founded the Noise Pollution Clearinghouse

[BrandonTorres]

Wow😮 ive never heard of noise pollution

[HeathenGeek]

I find the noise someone makes on a motorcycle going through the city therapeutic. The gentle gargle sounds and muffled cries for help they make as the people they've just woken up hack them to death with machete's is quite soothing . . . I'd imagine.

[aanddone]

That 9/11 shutdown part I forgot that happened there, but I think it also happened or something almost as quiet during mid 2020 year of the pandemic whenever there was a enforced shutdown/isolation with only limited essential workers to be running/working things outside their house/place.