Birmingham has been identified as the noisiest city in the UK, narrowly surpassing Bradford and Liverpool in a recent survey involving more than 2,000 urban residents. The Midlands city took the top spot, with Cardiff, Coventry, Leeds, and Newcastle following closely behind in terms of noise pollution levels. Derby claimed the eighth position, with Nottingham and London completing the top 10. The research was carried out by Specsavers, which temporarily rebranded to ‘Specsandhearingsavers’ to highlight its hearing services. The study also analysed data from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request concerning noise complaints filed in UK cities since 2020.
According to the FOI data, Manchester received a significant 31,000 noise complaints, while Hull and Portsmouth each registered 14,000 complaints. Leicester was not far behind with 13,900 complaints. Bradford, Liverpool, and Newcastle all reported over 11,000 complaints, and Leeds recorded 10,000 complaints. Shockingly, London topped the charts with boroughs collectively accumulating 440,000 complaints. Islington and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea both reported over 60,000 complaints. The survey found that two-thirds of UK residents believe their hearing has deteriorated due to city noise. Nearly two-fifths admitted to struggling to follow conversations, and almost a quarter reported feeling unable to fully engage in social situations.
Specsavers’ audiology expert, Sonam Sehemby, highlighted the broader societal impact of constant noise, stating that living in a noisy city can be draining and exhausting. She mentioned that the constant noise makes it challenging to concentrate and participate in conversations, leading individuals to feel socially isolated and disconnected. Sonam stressed the importance of regular hearing assessments, noting that anyone experiencing difficulty following conversations or needing to piece together what they hear should seek a professional evaluation. Despite the misconception surrounding their name, Specsavers has been providing hearing expertise for over two decades.
The survey also revealed that a significant number of city residents believe their environment has become louder over the past five years. Almost half of the participants reported that noise disruptions affect their daily lives on a weekly basis, indicating the severity of the issue. In a bid to draw attention to their temporary rebranding, Specsavers enlisted Paul Chuckle to oversee the installation of a comically large ‘Specsandhearingsavers’ shop-front logo at its Windsor store. The TV icon was heard muttering his famous catchphrase, “oh dear, oh dear,” as the logo was being put up. Paul Chuckle shared his personal hearing struggles, expressing surprise at his own hearing loss and the challenges he faced in conversations.
Sonam further emphasised the commonality of hearing issues and the importance of seeking help when noticing changes in hearing ability. She suggested that individuals should not delay addressing hearing loss, as it can happen gradually, making the changes less noticeable at first. Taking action promptly is crucial, whether for oneself or noticing changes in a loved one’s hearing. The article concluded with a list of the top 10 loudest UK cities according to residents’ perceptions, reaffirming the prevalence and impact of noise pollution on urban dwellers.