Podcast Summary: The Wirecutter Show

Episode: Yes, the World Is Actually Too Loud (Encore)

Release Date: August 27, 2025
Hosts: Christine Cyr Clisset, Kyra Blackwell, Rosie Guerin
Guest Expert: Lauren Dragan, Wirecutter Senior Staff Writer (Audio)

Episode Overview

This encore episode tackles the growing problem of noise pollution and its troubling effects on our hearing and overall health. With expert guidance from Lauren Dragan—who has reviewed nearly 2000 headphones and specializes in audio equipment and hearing loss—the hosts discuss how our environments have become dangerously loud, practical ways to assess our exposure, and actionable solutions for safeguarding our ears (and our loved ones') through lifestyle changes, tech features, and product recommendations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Is the World Getting Louder?

Timestamps: 01:29–04:28

• Personal experiences: The hosts share their anxieties about hearing loss, especially in big cities. Christine worries her kids are mumbling more, but suspects her hearing may be declining.
• Noise quiz segment: Rosie quizzes the hosts on how loud daily sounds are: lawnmowers, fireworks, subways, airplanes.
  • “Fireworks are considered painful and dangerous.” (Rosie, 03:02)
  • “The New York City subway…for the most part...those levels are in the very loud [range].” (Rosie, 03:23)
• Major insight: City dwellers and frequent headphone users are at high risk for sustained, unhealthy noise exposure.

2. Why Noise Exposure Is a Health Concern

Timestamps: 09:30–11:56

• Modern environments are noisier: Lauren traces the rise in noise to the industrial revolution and ubiquitous machines.
• It’s not just about hearing: Chronic noise damages more than ears—it disrupts focus, may lead to depression, and raises risk for hypertension, strokes, and heart attacks.
  • “A lot of noise is not just something that can be physically damaging, but also psychologically damaging.” (Lauren, 10:33)
• Accessibility: Noise is especially challenging for people with sensory processing differences and is an important accessibility issue.

3. How Much Is Too Much? Understanding Noise Levels

Timestamps: 12:01–15:57

• Decibels explained: Anything above 75 dB for prolonged periods can start to cause damage, but everyone’s sensitivity is different—like sunburn risk.
  • “It’s really hard to say which one you are...that’s kind of why we try to tell people to err on the side of caution and think about it as a noise diet.” (Lauren, 12:07)
• How to track exposure:
  • Apple devices offer built-in dB meters and will warn you if headphone or environmental noise exceeds safe levels.
  • Android/Samsung phones may have volume limiters; NIOSH Sound Level Meter app is another tool.
• Rule of thumb: If you need to raise your voice to be heard, it’s too loud. Spin classes are especially guilty:
  • “So 10 out of 10 spin classes are too loud?” (Rosie, 15:57)
  • “Yes.” (Lauren, 16:00)

4. Signs of Hearing Loss and the Importance of Testing

Timestamps: 16:06–18:51

• Warning signs: Asking people to repeat themselves, relying on lip-reading, needing higher TV volume, or being told you speak too loudly.
  • “Those are all kind of early signs that you might be having some hearing loss.” (Lauren, 16:19)
• Tests are accessible: Free hearing screenings are available at Best Buy and Costco; adults rarely get routine hearing checks—unlike kids.
• Our brains compensate: Many don’t notice hearing loss until it’s advanced.

5. Simple Strategies for Noise Prevention

Timestamps: 20:18–27:08

• Earplugs:
  • Lauren stresses “earplugs, earplugs, earplugs!”—not just cheap foam, but modern, stylish options meant for music and consistent social use.
  • Favorite: Loop Experience 2 and Loop Switch (“They look cool, like jewelry or gauges.”) (Lauren, 20:45)
• Headphones:
  • Difference between noise isolating (physical barrier) and noise canceling (electronic counter-wave):
    • “Noise canceling is an active technology…noise isolation is essentially something physical between your ear and the world.” (Lauren, 21:49)
• Recommended models:
  • Earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM5
  • Headphones: Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
  • For existing earbuds: Comply memory foam replacement tips (“Instead of buying new headphones, buy new tips.”) (Lauren, 24:11)
• Children:
  • EMS for Kids, Muted, and Loop Kids offer ear protection for children of all ages.

6. Reducing Noise at Home & in Public

Timestamps: 25:24–27:08

• Environment: Lower volume on electronics, close windows. True soundproofing is expensive and often impractical for renters.
• Headphones for silence: Sometimes, Lauren uses headphones just for the isolation, not for music.
• Public spaces: More public venues now offer “quiet rooms” or sensory spaces.

7. Healthy Listening Habits & Volume Control

Timestamps: 27:08–28:46

• The 60/60 rule: Listen at no more than 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes—then take a break.
  • “A little bit of cake is not going to kill you. But if you eat cake all day long, every day, that’s going to be the issue.” (Lauren, 27:36)
• Isolation helps: Better-isolating headphones require less volume to be effective in noisy environments.

8. Earbuds While Sleeping: Risk vs. Reward

Timestamps: 28:09–31:52

• Hygiene warning: Constant use can block earwax, sometimes requiring professional cleaning.
• Product advice:
  • SleepPhones (AcousticSheep) headband for comfort and mild isolation
  • Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds for strong isolation against snoring/ambient noise
• Sound masking: Use brown noise for snoring, pink or white noise for higher-pitched disturbances; violet noise for tinnitus.

9. Protecting Kids: Headphone Standards and Testing

Timestamps: 31:52–35:06

• Safe kid headphones: Puro Quiet Plus is Lauren’s pick for noise-canceling, safe-volume headphones for kids.
• Lax industry standards: Lab tests showed many models marketed as “safe” for kids actually exceed safe dB levels—sometimes rivaling jet engines!
  • “Some of them went up to like 104, which is like jet engine level.” (Lauren, 33:39)
• Testing process: Lauren and Brent Butterworth use artificial anatomical ears and precision microphones to measure real-world output.

10. Product Recommendations & Personal Favorites

Timestamps: 36:01–36:45

• Bearaby weighted blanket: Lauren’s recent purchase—thick, braided, washable, breathable, and life-changing for sleep, especially with dogs in the house.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On what contributes to today’s noise:
  “From an evolutionary perspective, we’re not supposed to get that level of noise all the time.” (Lauren, 09:55)
• On damaging everyday volume:
  “It’s not one big, loud sound. It’s the cumulation of lots of sounds over the span of a long period of time.” (Lauren, 12:07)
• On noisy fitness classes:
  “So 10 out of 10 spin classes are too loud?” (Rosie, 15:57) / “Yes.” (Lauren, 16:00)
• On missing adult hearing screenings:
  “It’s something that we test for kids, and then we sort of forget about it until people suddenly come in with issues.” (Lauren, 17:14)

Key Product Picks & Hacks (Quick-Glance)

| Need | Product/Tip | Timestamp | |-----------------------------|------------------------------------|---------------| | Discreet earplugs | Loop Experience 2 / Loop Switch | 20:45 | | Best noise-canceling earbuds| Sony WF-1000XM5 | 23:06 | | Best noise-canceling headphones | Bose 700, Sony WH-1000XM5 | 23:06 | | Upgrade earbud tips | Comply Memory Foam Tips | 24:11 | | Kid ear protection (babies) | EMS for Kids earmuffs | 24:27 | | Kid ear protection (older) | Muted, Loop Kids | 24:27 | | Kid noise-canceling headphones | Puro Quiet Plus | 32:09 | | Sleep headband headphones | AcousticSheep SleepPhones | 29:32 | | True sleep earbuds | Soundcore Sleep A20 | 30:11 | | Sound masking noise apps | Use brown/white/pink/violet noise | 31:18-31:52 | | Weighted sleep blanket | Bearaby | 36:01 |

Final Takeaways and Action Items

• Monitor your environment: Use technology (Apple/Android features, dB meter apps) and your own perception (if you’re raising your voice, it’s too loud).
• Adopt healthy habits: Follow the 60/60 rule, take regular breaks from headphones, and use isolating headphones at the lowest effective volume.
• Protect your family: Invest in reputable ear protection for kids (earmuffs, noise-canceling headphones), and check real dB limits before buying.
• Get your hearing checked: Don’t wait until you notice a struggle—use free screenings at retailers.
• Be noise-mindful at home: Moderate your own output, try headphones or earplugs during noisy times, and seek out patches of quiet in public spaces.
• Customize your noise masking: Experiment with different frequencies to “match” and mask bothersome sounds at night or during work.

Hosts’ Closing Thoughts

• Christine is determined to get hearing tests for herself and her kids.
• Kyra likes the “60 for 60” rule and wants to try lowering her volume stepwise.
• Rosie plans to experiment with brown/pink/violet noise instead of just white noise.

“A little bit of cake is not going to kill you. But if you eat cake all day long, every day, that's going to be the issue.”
—Lauren Dragan, 27:36

“I want to get some of these loops earplugs for myself and for my kids.”
—Christine Cyr Clisset, 38:22

For more product recommendations and in-depth reviews, visit nytimes.com/wirecutter. All products discussed are available in the show notes.