2024-04-28 01:46:52
Several subway stations exceed the noise levels recommended by the WHO.
All thes stations of Line 1 of the Santiago Metro exceed the noise level recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO)according to a study carried out by the company specialized in hearing health, GAES Chile.
According to the WHO, The optimal thing is that people do not expose themselves to sounds that exceed 55 decibelswhile the study established that in the subway train, the figures vary between 85.3 and 95.2 decibels.
In that sense, the GAES speech therapist, María Paz Faúndez, explained that “Prolonged exposure to sound intensity greater than 70 decibels is very harmful to our hearing health.“.
“While most public transport trips are short in duration and less likely to cause immediate hearing damage, Its impact on hearing depends on the intensity of the sound and the duration of exposure“, he stated next.
He added that “if this means of transportation is used for prolonged periods, especially in small, enclosed spaces like cars where sound can bounce around and increase, it can exceed the safe limit for our ears.“.
The noisiest Metro stations
In its report, GAES Chile revealed that the three loudest subway stations on Line 1 are:
- Latin American Union (95.2 dB).
- The Dominicans (94 dB).
- Catholic University (93.3 dB).
And with more than 92 decibels there are six other stations, among which are Baquedano, Escuela Militar, Santa Lucía and El Golf.
Tips for passengers to avoid noise
Along with detailing the noise level at each station on Line 1 of the Santiago Metro, the company stated that “the important thing is to try to ensure that the exposure does not last for too long. If you are going to use public transportation, it would be ideal to use some kind of sound attenuator, such as hearing protectors or earplugs..
“For those who use public transportation or are exposed to noisy environments on a daily basis, it is important that they take the weight of hearing checks,” they say from GAES Chile.
“The long-term damage can be very significant to our health. and it is everyone’s responsibility to take the necessary measures in time,” the company warns.
In the case of hearing aids, it is suggested to maintain a balance when using themand take into account that the higher the volume, the shorter the time you should be exposed to the sound.