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Man, the El sure is loud. A new report from the Sun-Times today looks at the noisiest stations and warns readers that prolonged exposure to El noise could be damaging, though there's nothing to suggest anyone's hearing has been affected at all.
Parts of the Blue and Red Line subways and parts of the Pink Line L track had readings of more than 100 decibels -- comparable to a chain saw.The highest reading -- 109.2 decibels -- was taken at the Thorndale Red Line station as an express train passed. Most platforms registered between 90 and 100 decibels, comparable to a lawn mower. The Dempster platform on the Purple Line was a conversation-friendly 80.1 decibels, the quietest.
Inside trains, levels were usually below 90, except on the subway, where levels hit above 90 between most stations. The highest in-train reading was 105 between the North/Clybourn and Clark/Division subway stations on the Red Line.
We feel like the most painfully noisy part of the El is the occasional metal-on-metal squealing that sounds like hate being wrestled from Satan's heart. We can handle the rumbling, but that high-pitched, miserable mechanical scream makes our ears sad. [S-T, photo by Kookybites]
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I find loud, obnoxious conversations on cell phones and between a-holes much more harmful to my ears/health.
More "gee-that's-obvious" reporting by Chicago's favorite tabloid. Not that the Trib is any better, but, you gotta love the "news".
@petepants -- I'm totally with you on this one. At the very least, the el, especially underground, is so noisy and loud that some of those cell conversations get drowned out. However, it's unbearable when on the bus...absolutely unbearable.
I find loud, obnoxious conversations on cell phones and between a-holes much more harmful to my ears/health.
Agree 100%, and I would add loud iPods and similar devices as well.
In fact, I sense that most people would, judging by comments on blogs, letters to the editor and the pained looks of frustration and annoyance displayed by my fellow riders.
Now, what do you do about it? Do you merely sit there and let someone annoy you, or do you politely but firmly ask for the behavior to be modified? Do you attempt to mock the offender, either by pretending to listen to their intimate phone conversations or, perhaps, bobbing your head along with their loud music (I have seen this work, in fact, more than once--I guess some people can be easily embarrassed)? Do you have your own methods?
If you don't like, work to change the behavior, even through tiny, daily steps. If you merely complain but remain apathetic, you are part of the problem.
Hopefully the new train cars will help ease the problem a bit.
@peteypants
agree with you and the others and will add that people who let their cellphone play their obnoxious ringtone until it gets to the "good part," the Nextel chirping and people who play their PSPs with the volume turned up while listening to their iPod are far worse than the rumble of the trains. i live right off the Green Line and I hardly hear it.