India is a country full of sound. From laughter in busy markets to devotional songs on loudspeakers, from the buzz of traffic to the drums of weddings—our lives are surrounded by noise. These sounds bring energy, but many of them quietly harm your ears over time.
In fact, the World Health Organization lists several Indian cities among the loudest in the world. Let’s look at seven everyday sounds that damage hearing and what you can do about them.
1. Traffic Honking
On Indian roads, honking is almost like a language. Noise levels at busy junctions can hit 90–100 decibels, which is unsafe for prolonged exposure. Rolling up windows or using noise-cancelling earphones during commutes can give your ears a break.
2. Construction Work
Drilling, hammering, and heavy machinery near housing societies often feel impossible to escape. Closing windows during peak hours or wearing simple earplugs can help.
3. Festival Firecrackers
Diwali, Ganpati visarjan, and weddings often involve crackers that reach 150 decibels. Just a few minutes of this can cause permanent hearing damage. Watching from a safe distance or protecting children’s ears with cotton or earmuffs makes a big difference.
4. Wedding Bands and DJs
We love our grand weddings, but the music is usually at full volume. Try sitting away from the speakers and stepping outside for breaks.
5. Office Noise
Open-plan offices come with endless chatter, ringing phones, and air conditioning hum. This low but constant background noise contributes to fatigue. Creating quiet corners or using headphones can make workdays easier.
6. Cinemas and Loudspeakers
Religious gatherings, political rallies, and cinema halls often blast sound far above safe levels. Even two hours in a theatre can leave your ears strained. Sit further from the speakers and limit frequency of exposure.
7. Mobile Earphones
This is perhaps the most overlooked danger. Listening above 60% volume for more than an hour daily harms hearing over time. Following the 60/60 rule (60% volume for 60 minutes, then rest) is a simple way to stay safe.
Why These Sounds Matter
Hearing issues rarely show up overnight. Months and years of exposure build up quietly. First, you feel drained after conversations, then you struggle in groups, and slowly it may move towards permanent hearing loss.
Takeaway: we can’t make India quieter overnight, but we can protect ourselves. A few small lifestyle changes add up to stronger, healthier hearing.
At Aaroha Om, the focus isn’t just on measuring hearing—it’s about helping people adapt to noisy environments and live confidently, no matter how loud the city gets.