Commuters using public transport are exposed to noise levels that could cause deafness if experienced repeatedly and over long periods of time, warns a new study.
Researchers say people should even consider using hearing protection while using buses as well as trains.
And efforts to control noise should focus on materials and equipment that provide a quieter environment, according to a study published in the Journal of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery.
Study corresponding author Dr. Vincent Lin, of the University of Toronto in Canada, said: ‘This study is the first to look at and quantify the amount of noise people are exposed to during their daily commute, specifically on the Toronto Transit System.
‘We now are starting to understand that chronic excessive noise exposure leads to significant systemic pathology, such as depression, anxiety, increased risk of chronic diseases and increased accident risk.
