Noisy electronics on planes are an issue

by Daniel Fink, MD, Chair, The Quiet Coalition

Photo credit: Kelly

The Seattle Times reports that noisy electronics on planes are becoming an issue. Especially on short-haul flights, to save weight and money, airlines have removed seatback screens and are encouraging travelers to use their own devices for in-flight entertainment. Consumer advocate Chris Elliott writes that major complaints are bright screens, often showing inappropriate content, and headphones that allow sound to leak.

Elliott recommends a gentle approach, asking people politely to turn down the volume. If that doesn’t work, a quiet conversation with a flight attendant at the galley may get a seat change or intervention. Elliott quotes Thomas Plante, a psychology professor at Santa Clara University, who says it all comes down to respect.

When it comes to noise, our colleague Arline Bronzaft often talks about respect for others and not allowing one’s own noise to bother anyone within earshot.  We couldn’t agree with Plante or Arline more. 

For better or worse, headphone noise leakage from a seatmate isn’t a problem for me.  I find airplane cabins so loud that I put on my noise cancelling headphones as soon as I’m on the plane, if not while waiting to board. For hearing protection, until airplane manufacturers design and build quieter cabins, that’s my recommendation for all air travelers.

Because if it sounds loud, whether from a seatmate’s entertainment device or just the ambient noise in the aircraft cabin, it’s too loud and one’s auditory health is at risk. Obviously my suggestion that one leave the noisy environment isn’t possible mid-flight, is it?