Transport for London reveals tube routes most likely to cause hearing damage in commuters
New analysis of noise data from Transport for London (TfL) indicates that several of the capital’s busiest Tube routes often show sound levels above 90 decibels, a threshold commonly linked to increased risk of hearing damage after repeated exposure.
The data, obtained via a Freedom of Information request from the TfL and reviewed by JRPass.com, highlights specific station-to-station sections where noise levels are consistently high, particularly on deep-level lines used by over 700,000 passengers a day.
According to the TfL recordings, the highest average noise levels in the dataset were found on the following Tube sections Green Park to Victoria, Victoria line, at 92.9 decibels; Liverpool Street to Bethnal Green, Central line, at 92.8 decibels; Highbury & Islington to Finsbury Park, Victoria line, at 92.1 decibels; Highbury & Islington to King’s Cross St Pancras, Victoria line, at 91.5 decibels, and Gants Hill to Newbury Park, Central line, at 91.1 decibels.
For context, normal conversation typically occurs at around 60 decibels. Sound levels above 90 decibels are often compared to those of a motorcycle engine, heavy traffic, or a lawnmower, which helps to explain why passengers on these routes often need to raise their voices or abandon conversation altogether, says TfL.
Even a small increase in decibels has a large impact on how loud the sound is; for example, 90dB(A) is 10 times as intense as 80dB (A). Guidance from iHasco suggests that exposure to noise levels of around 92 decibels for more than 1 hour and 35 minutes can exceed the recommended maximum daily noise limit.
Daniel de Nieuwe, Head of Product at JRPass, said: “The London Underground is one of the world’s oldest metro systems, and this data shows just how much noise levels can vary depending on where you’re travelling.
“People aren’t imagining it – some Tube stretches are averaging above 90 decibels. In those sections, even a quick conversation can turn into shouting. Those TikTok clips are relatable for a reason.”
While most individual Tube journeys are shorter than this, TfL says commuters who regularly travel on the loudest sections of the Underground might build up a significant proportion of their daily noise exposure during their commute alone.
This does not account for additional everyday sounds many people encounter before or after travel, including household appliances such as blenders or food processors, loud traffic, or noise from children, which can further increase overall exposure across the day.
The data shows that the Victoria and Central lines appear most frequently among the loudest sections recorded. Both are deep-level lines that operate through narrow tunnels and include tighter curves, which can amplify noise as trains pass through enclosed spaces.
Other high-noise sections identified in the data include Wanstead to Redbridge, Central line, at 90.7 decibels; Brixton to Stockwell, Victoria line, at 90.1 decibels, Camden Town to Euston, Northern line, at 89.8 decibels, and Pimlico to Victoria, Victoria line, 89.6 decibels.
This concentration helps explain why noise levels can fluctuate significantly even within short journeys on the same line.
TfL’s recordings show that noise levels on the Underground vary by station-to-station section, rather than by line alone. Factors such as tunnel depth, curvature, train speed, and track condition all influence how loud a particular stretch becomes.
As a result, two journeys on the same line can feel very different in terms of how easy it is to hold a conversation, depending on the section travelled.
In recent news, Transport for London revealed that it needs to do more to ensure both customers and drivers understand the rules over designated wheelchair spaces.
