How To Live In A Noisy City

My friends know that I am deaf as a doorpost and obviously have to wear my hearing aid. However, living in the Big Apple also means living with noise, so I don't always have my trusted aid on. Why bring this up? I’ve just read a report which stated that the city's number one "quality-of-life" complaint is (based on about 300,000 calls every year to the city's 311 line) noise. Do I agree with this report? You bet I do! With its screeching subway trains, honking cars, roaring planes, barking dogs, and boisterous people, it's easy to see why that is.

A New York Subway Station

Take the screeching overhead subway trains for example. That whole situation makes it difficult to converse with someone on the platform, and if someone happens to call me on my cellphone, or I happen to be by an overhead subway station, it's absurd to take a call, and becomes hard to explain that I'm currently in a noisy neighborhood. Quite frankly, most of the times, I don't even bother answering the phone. Nothing personal.

The worst noise for me? When a fire truck, ambulance or a police car passes by or gets stuck in traffic. The drowning sirens can really hurt my eardrum. 

F.D.NY: Ready to respond to NY's Emergencies

A New York Ambulance

New York's Finest

Giving the noise level, New York City is still a lovely place to visit. But be prepare to also embrace the noise factor. I understand that in some parts of the city, it frequently exceed 100 decibels! Millions of visitors go to Times Square, and so it has a reputation of being the noisiest place in town. 

Times Square

New York City can be a bit chaotic, however do not let this fact puts you off. I promise to personally take you around the Big Apple when you drop by. So brush up on your lip reading skills.

Central Park: With all the noise in the city, is it possible to find a quiet spot?
Maybe. It's out there somewhere.

I'm often asked during my friends visit to New York: "Do you like living in this town?" My answer is often “Yes! It helps being an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, nuts - or deaf as a doorpost like me!"