The Irish capital city took the top spot, narrowly beating Galway and Cork, which ranked second and third respectively, in a survey of over 1,000 city dwellers. Other cities making a racket include Kilkenny and Limerick.
The research was commissioned by Specsavers as part of its temporary tongue-in-cheek rebrand to ‘Specsandhearingsavers’, to highlight its expertise in hearing services.
Orla Walsh, a Specsavers hearing expert, said: “Living in a noisy city can be exhausting – from relentless traffic and sirens to never-ending construction work. The constant noise makes it harder to focus and follow a conversation, often leaving people feeling socially withdrawn and disconnected.
“It has become clear from our research that we are living in a world with more background noise than ever, which can make it a struggle to hear or follow a conversation.
“A common misconception is that hearing checks are only for those who have completely lost their hearing. But, if you are finding that you are missing parts of conversations or just catch the gist, you will probably also benefit from a hearing check, which can be easily done in your local Specsavers store. Despite our name, we are hearing experts too and have been for over 15 years.”
The new study found that 56 per cent of Galway city dwellers believe their environment has become louder over the past five years, while 26 per cent say noise disrupts their lives at least once a week.
Traffic, nightlife, construction work, and emergency sirens were the biggest culprits. Noisy neighbours and street performers, or events, were also common sources of frustration.
Over half of respondents said urban noise makes it harder to concentrate, while 39 per cent reported that it negatively impacts their sleep.
Alarmingly, nearly half of Galway people believe their ability to hear has worsened due to city noise, with 42 per cent struggling to follow conversations, and 32 per cent feel unable to fully engage in social situations.
Over three in 10 of those polled struggle with their hearing, and nearly half admit they have never thought to get it checked.
Orla added: “Struggling with our hearing is far more common than many people realise. Sadly, it is often something we put off, thinking we can get by. Part of the problem is that hearing loss can happen gradually, and we do not notice the changes straight away. As with anything, you must act. So, whether it is you or you notice the changes in your loved one, it is important to seek help.”
If you have any concerns about your hearing or know someone who is struggling, contact your local store or visit Specsavers.ie/hearing
