Protecting Your Hearing in the Heart of NYC: Insights From Dr. Weigand

Living in a bustling city like New York has its charm, but it also brings constant loud noise exposure that can impact your hearing health. Our very own Dr. John Weigand was featured in a recent News 12 story about this topic. In the segment, he shares crucial insights on how city sounds could be harming your ears and the importance of being proactive about your hearing health.

From the rumble of subway trains to the blare of car horns, the sounds of New York can create an overwhelming auditory environment. Dr. Weigand, who has dedicated years to treating New Yorkers with hearing loss, warns that this unrelenting noise can lead to long-term damage. The subtle signs of hearing loss can be easy to overlook, he explains, such as when you begin to move closer to someone just to catch what they’re saying from another room.

News 12’s investigation into noise levels throughout the city highlights the risks New Yorkers face daily. A car ride can average around 70 decibels, a safe level according to the National Institutes of Health. However, simple city activities can expose us to much higher noise levels — standing on a subway platform reaches around 98 decibels, and a food truck can hit up to 100 decibels. Dr. Weigand points out that even brief exposure to high-decibel sounds, like fireworks at 160 decibels, can cause irreversible damage to your ears.

As we’re constantly surrounded by noise in the city, many of us turn to headphones to mask it, inadvertently contributing to further stress on our ears. Dr. Weigand describes this as a “lifetime of audio content coming at you,” emphasizing the need for regular breaks from sound.

Dr. Weigand strongly encourages regular hearing checks, especially for those who live in noisy environments. Early detection of hearing issues can make a significant difference, allowing for timely interventions and hearing preservation strategies. Simple habits, like using earplugs in particularly loud settings or limiting headphone volume, can also go a long way in protecting your ears from city noise.

For more on Dr. Weigand’s expert advice and News 12’s findings, watch the full news story here: https://brooklyn.news12.com/our-ears-are-more-delicate-than-we-think-and-the-sounds-of-nyc-might-be-too-tough-on-them

Protecting your hearing is a lifelong commitment — start taking steps today to ensure your ears can keep up with the sounds of the city for years to come.

Watch the full News12 Segment Here

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