Are you in the mood for a peaceful walk outside? Good luck if you’re in Dhaka. That’s the capital city of Bangladesh, a country in South Asia. And it is known for its noise. Step outside and you’ll be surrounded by it. 

    Hundreds of car horns honk at the same time. People on motorcycles rev their engines. Construction workers pound their hammers. Bus drivers shout out their windows. Music blasts from speakers. If your phone were to ring, chances are you wouldn’t hear it. 

    So how did this city become one of the world’s loudest? 

    Want to take a peaceful walk outside? Good luck if you’re in Dhaka. It’s the capital city of Bangladesh. That’s a country in South Asia. Dhaka is known for its noise. Step outside. You’ll be surrounded by it.

    Car horns honk. Motorcycle engines rev. Construction workers pound hammers. Bus drivers shout out their windows. Music blasts from speakers. If your phone rings, you probably won’t hear it.

    So how did this city become one of the world’s loudest?

    Are you in the mood for a peaceful walk outside? Good luck if you’re in Dhaka. That’s the capital city of Bangladesh, a country in South Asia. And it is known for its noise. Step outside and you’ll be surrounded by it.

    Hundreds of car horns honk at the same time, and people on motorcycles rev their engines. Construction workers pound their hammers, bus drivers shout out their windows, and music blasts from speakers. If your phone were to ring, chances are you wouldn’t hear it.

    So how did this city become one of the loudest cities in the world?

    To better understand Dhaka’s noise problem, let’s take a closer look at noise itself. Scientists measure sounds using something called decibels (dB). Whispering in a library is about 30 dB. 

    Running a vacuum cleaner is about 75 dB. A loud rock concert is about 115 dB. 

    In most cities, the average traffic noise level is about 85 dB. But in Dhaka, that number is closer to 120 dB—nearly all day, every day. This constant high level of sound is called noise pollution.  

    Experts say that a healthy level of sound for a human is 40 to 50 dB. Hearing louder sounds for long periods of time can put you at risk for health problems. 

    In Dhaka, many residents suffer from hearing loss and anxiety. They also have trouble focusing or sleeping. 

    To better understand Dhaka’s noise problem, let’s look at noise itself. Scientists measure sounds using decibels (dB). Whispering is about 30 dB. A vacuum cleaner is about 75 dB.A rock concert is about 115 dB.

    In most cities, traffic noise is about 85 dB. But in Dhaka, it’s more like 120 dB. It’s that high all the time. This constant high level of sound is called noise pollution.

    Experts say a healthy level of sound for a human is 40 to 50 dB. Hearing louder sounds for long periods of time can cause health problems.

    In Dhaka, many residents suffer from hearing loss and anxiety. They also have trouble focusing or sleeping.

    To better understand Dhaka’s noise problem, let’s take a closer look at the noise itself. Scientists measure sounds using something called decibels (dB). Whispering in a library is about 30 dB, running a vacuum cleaner is about 75 dB, and a loud rock concert is about115 dB. In most cities, the average traffic noise level is about 85 dB, but in Dhaka, that number is closer to 120 dB—nearly all day, every day. This constant high level of sound is called noise pollution.

    According to experts, a healthy level of sound for a human is 40 to 50 dB. Hearing louder sounds for long periods of time can put you at risk for health problems.

    In Dhaka, many residents suffer from hearing loss and anxiety, and they also have trouble focusing or sleeping.

    As Dhaka has become more crowded, it has also become louder. Through the years, the government has set rules to try to control noise. For example, noise levels shouldn’t go above 55 dB during the day in residential areas. Certain types of vehicle horns are also banned. But these rules are regularly ignored. 

    So what can be done? Some experts want to create more green spaces. Trees and soil can help absorb noise. More parks also means more foot traffic—and fewer noisy vehicles on the road. 

    Others say education is key. Last year, hundreds of people gathered in Dhaka for Noise Awareness Day. Local leaders gave speeches and handed out flyers. 

    The government even texted residents with a simple reminder: “Noise pollution is a health hazard. Let’s all be aware.” 

    As Dhaka grew more crowded, it also grew louder. So the government set noise rules. In residential areas, noise shouldn’t go above 55 dB during the day. Certain types of vehicle horns are banned. But these rules are often ignored.

    So what can be done? Some experts want to create more green spaces. Trees and soil can help absorb noise. More parks also can mean more foot traffic—and fewer noisy vehicles.

    Others say education is key. Last year, hundreds of people gathered in Dhaka for Noise Awareness Day. Local leaders gave speeches. They handed out flyers.

    The government even texted residents with a reminder: “Noise pollution is a health hazard. Let’s all be aware.”

    As Dhaka has become more crowded, it has also become louder. Through the years, the government has set rules to try to control noise. For example, noise levels shouldn’t exceed 55 dB during the day in residential areas, and certain types of vehicle horns are banned. But these rules are regularly ignored.

    So what can be done? Some experts say more green spaces are the answer, because trees and soil can help absorb noise. Also, more parks would mean more foot traffic—and fewer noisy vehicles on the road.

    Others say education is key. Last year, hundreds of people gathered in Dhaka for Noise Awareness Day. Local leaders gave speeches and handed out flyers.

    The government even texted residents with a simple reminder: “Noise pollution is a health hazard. Let’s all be aware.”