The little known cost of commuting that could be damaging your hearing
The little known cost of commuting that could be damaging your hearing
4 minutes
Published : 3 September 2024
Reviewed : 20 January 2025
Whether it’s driving to the office, catching the train, or walking to work, commuting is an integral part of many people’s daily or weekly routines. But whilst we consider the time, cost, and even environmental impact our travels can have, there’s another, less visible impact that is often overlooked: the toll it can take on our ear health.
To understand how it's affecting commuters, our experts at Boots Hearingcare have commissioned research1 to uncover how often Brits are travelling into work, the modes of transport they take, and their attitudes towards ear protection.
This insight has then been compared with average noise levels encountered when commuting, as well as the signs to look out for when it comes to ear damage, and how to protect yourself.
Commuting habits across the UK
According to the research, the majority of the nation (67%) travel to work a minimum of twice per week. And within this, one in four (40%) travel to and from every day, which can take up to two hours for 25% of commuters.
Although a large proportion of respondents travel by car (57%), the top five modes of transport also include the bus (12%), walking (11%), the train (8%), and the tube (5%).
Looking at how the research compares across different regions, Liverpudlians are most likely to commute into work daily, whereas residents in Newcastle and Cardiff choose to work remotely, more than any other city.
And despite how frequently it's done, what’s alarming is that almost three quarters of Brits (74%) don’t think they need protection and never wear it.
The daily commuter
If the recommended protection isn’t being used, those who venture into work daily will be at a higher risk of damaging their ears. And this can potentially cause long-term side effects, as a result of frequent exposure to high noise levels. Among the 40% who commute daily, their most popular transport choices are:
• Car (63%)
• Walking (15%)
• Bus (9%)
• Underground tube (5%)
• Overground train (4%)
Commuting often comes with heavy traffic, which presents a problem for drivers, bus riders, and pedestrians, as the average noise levels are reported at 85 dB. Whilst safe noise levels are recommended at 60 dB or below, a dB of 80-85 can cause hearing damage after just two hours.
Although the statistics for those travelling into work via an underground tube or overground train are considerably lower, for those that do, proper precautions need to be taken to protect their ears. Reports from TFL have revealed in-cab levels on the Northern Line are 81 db and 86 dB when going through tunnels.
That’s not all, between January - March 2024 the highest recorded noise across all underground networks reached 100 dB for a duration of two minutes and 16 seconds. This is dangerously close to exceeding 105 dB, which can cause hearing loss after as little as five to 10 minutes.
When it comes to ear health attitudes amongst daily commuters, 30% admit to not wearing any form of protection when travelling, with 50% sharing that they don’t think it’s needed. We hope our research demonstrates otherwise.
Spotting the signs of hearing damage
Surprisingly, one in 20 respondents didn’t recognise any of the signs associated with hearing loss, and the majority could only list five out of the 10 symptoms shared.
What to look out for
It’s important to be aware of all of the potential signs of hearing damage, as it’s unlikely that each person impacted will experience all of them. The 10 side effects to look out for include:
• Ear pain or discomfort
• Tinnitus
• Hearing distortion
• Muffled hearing
• Difficulty understanding speech
• Sensitivity to sounds and volume
• Misunderstanding words
• Balance issues
• Hearing fatigue
• Social withdrawal
If you are experiencing any of the above, it is important that you book a free hearing test to address your symptoms, so that you can take the proper course of action to protect your hearing moving forwards.
How to protect your ear health
It goes without saying that for many, commuting is unavoidable. But, there are a number of ways that you can protect ear health when travelling to and from work.
Use ear protection
Whether it’s ear plugs, ear muffs, noise cancelling headphones, using a form of protection can significantly reduce your exposure to harmful noise levels. If you opt for the latter, make sure your volume isn’t exceeding safe levels.
Opt for alternative routes or times
Whenever possible, plan your commute during off-peak hours when noise levels are generally lower. Alternatively, consider routes that are less congested. Even small reductions in noise exposure can have a positive impact on your hearing health over time.
Stay informed
Whether you’re driving, walking, or taking public transport, the noise levels you’re exposed to could be putting your hearing at risk. By understanding these risks and taking steps to protect your ears, you can help prevent long-term damage and preserve your hearing for years to come.
Author
Boots Hearingcare
Boots Hearingcare