The 85 dB rule, explained without the jargon

Workplace safety agencies set a simple limit: eight hours at 85 dB. Above that, hearing damage becomes likely over a working life. The tricky part is that decibels are logarithmic.

Every 3 dB halves the time

Add 3 dB and the sound energy doubles, so the safe time halves. 88 dB is four hours. 91 dB is two. A 97 dB train platform uses up a day’s allowance in about thirty minutes.

What you can do

You do not need to avoid the city. You need to stop turning your music up to beat it. Cancelling the noise first means you listen at lower volume, which is the single biggest thing you can do for your ears.