In response to an article by Adrian Chiles (where did all the headphones go to public transport? Noise is digging into my soul, April 9), I found myself seated next to a man on a flight who was watching an action movie full of explosions and shooting on his phone without headphones. We had spoken a bit before the flight, so I gathered the courage to ask him what he thought he was doing. I realized that if the conversation went badly, there was no escape.
Regrettably, I remained silent and simmered, filled with wonder and disgust when encountering similar situations on buses or trains. It is imperative that we combat selfishness. Have people forgotten about the impact on others? The thought of confronting these situations fills me with dread, envisioning only a confrontational exchange. In moments of insomnia, I concoct the perfect response that may have resolved the issue that day.
Nick Griesley
Teddington, London
When mobile phones first emerged, handling loud conversations on public transport led me to intervene, providing advice and comments to deter users. An amusing incident occurred on the Docklands Light Railway when I facetiously suggested to my wife (in an imaginary conversation) to “put the dog in the oven.” It brought me some amusement!
Gregory Rose
Oxford
A disturbing incident occurred during my time at Royal Brompton Hospital in London. Despite recovering from a triple heart bypass, the patient next to me used the speakerphone on a phone, disregarding my discomfort. It was left to me to address the issue repeatedly. It is essential for ward nurses to intervene in such situations to maintain patient comfort.
Carol Fuse
Guilford
The issue extends to places where solitude is sought. While meditating atop a summit in Wales, a couple disrupted the peace by playing music loudly on the ridge. There is a pressing need for a broader conversation on the perceived entitlement to impose noise on others, yet who will initiate it?
Nathan Fisher
Chester
The prevalence of loud noise even in public spaces is a concern, particularly with the negative effects of noise-cancelling headphones on hearing loss. I reference a recent Guardian article on this topic (Do noise-cancelling headphones reduce our hearing ability? Some audiologists are beginning to worry about it on February 22nd). I agree with Adrian Chiles that this behavior is incredibly irritating.
Natalie Davis
Pontypool, Monmouthshire
I empathize with Adrian Chiles and others subjected to phone noise without headphones. Personally, I use a Bluetooth hearing aid from the NHS that allows me to stream phone audio directly into my ears. However, I encounter the challenge of ensuring others recognize that I am indeed on a call, and not just someone talking to themselves on the street.
Keith Langton
Kirkcudbright, Dumfries & Galloway
Source: www.theguardian.com