Noise In The News: Weekly Round-Up

by Quiet Communities Staff

Photo credit: Andrea Piacquadio

California ranked the US’ third-loudest state 

Despite being home to one of the country’s most expansive environmental protection programs, California remains at the top of the list of loud states according to a new noise‑mapping analysis, which ranks California third. Hotspots like the city of Monterey average 70.27 dB, well above levels associated with long‑term hearing risk. Major airport corridors and traffic hubs across LA, Orange County, and San Diego routinely spike into the 90s, a range that can cause sleep disruption, cardiovascular strain, and noise‑induced hearing loss, with Californians living near freeways and flight paths carrying the brunt. 

Should you wear earplugs to bed?  

As our world grows ever louder, Wirecutter’s latest guidance tackles a question many sleepers ask: is it safe to eat earplugs every night?  The short answer is sometimes. While earplugs can be a powerful tool for reducing nighttime noise exposure, wearing them every night introduces risks like irritation, wax buildup, and infection. For people in chronically loud environments, this tension highlights a bigger issue: personal protective equipment shouldn’t be the only solution. A quieter environment is still the number one answer for healthier sleep, healthier hearing, and healthier communities.