We hear often about the many ways cars can make us sick and injure us. We know about the risk of car pollution to the air and to the environment. We know about the real risk of personal injury we each accept each and every time we get behind the wheel. Yet, a recent article in the Atlantic is investigating the ways in which city noise, and in particular, traffic noise, can make us sick.
One of the ways that traffic noise can cause harm is through hearing damage. The Atlantic reports that hearing loss isn’t just the quieting down of the world. Hearing loss can lead to the loss of whole frequencies. People with hearing loss don’t just hear the world more quietly—they lose whole frequencies of sound. This can mean the loss of certain human vocal frequencies or the loss of frequencies associated with bird song.
Living in a city puts you at risk of suffering hearing loss. Cars, airplanes, and subways can all produce sounds in excess of 85 decibels. Long-term exposure to sounds this loud can lead to permanent hearing damage. Poorer communities are also likely to face more noise pollution. People in poorer neighborhoods may not have the same ability to fight off the construction of an airport near the neighborhood, or prevent noisy industries and trucks from using their streets as a thoroughfare.
Even so, all communities can fight back in some ways.
For example, communities that are impacted by truck traffic can fight back by asking that the local government keep roads well-paved. Trucks may not always get the repair and maintenance they need. Communities can fight to ensure that truck regulations are in place that prevent old or poorly-maintained trucks from taking to the road. According to Transform Don’t Trash NYC, as many as 48% of New York’s privately-owned garbage trucks are unsafe to operate on city streets.
Poorly-maintained trucks not only can cause added noise, but they can put residents at risk. If a truck’s brakes don’t work or if a truck gets stalled on a city street, it can lead to serious accidents or injury. Trucks may not have the equipment to properly secure cargo. This can lead to debris falling on city streets, posing hazards for pedestrians, bikers, and drivers.
So, what can you do? First, if you or a loved one has been injured due to truck traffic in your neighborhood, it is important to fight back. The Law Offices of Robert Gregg are truck accident lawyers in Dallas, Texas who may be able to help you seek damages for your lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. When families fight back against negligent truck companies and drivers, they send a strong message to the industry. Poor maintenance and dangerous vehicles will not be permitted in our communities. Don’t suffer alone if you’ve been hurt.
Finally, if you believe that traffic noise may be affecting your hearing, get your hearing checked. Write to your local government about your concerns about traffic noise. You may even be able to fight back against individual companies that use your roads, if you can prove that their loud noises have directly impacted your hearing or safety.