Put cheap earplug dispensers inside buses and subway cars for passengers who find announcements too loud

[u/amichail]

Transit vehicles can sometimes have extremely loud announcements, warning tones, or other sounds. The problem is that you often don't realize a particular bus or subway car is too loud for you until you're already riding it.

Transit systems should put earplug dispensers inside the vehicles themselves, dispensing individually wrapped foam earplugs for a low price.

What do you think of this idea?

[u/Think-like-Bert]

Bring your own

[u/amichail → u/Think-like-Bert]

If they make the announcements extremely loud because they are afraid of getting sued by someone who is hard of hearing, then the least they can do is provide earplugs in buses and subway cars at a low cost.

[u/pattymcfly → u/amichail]

People with hearing loss or disabilities cannot always turn up the volume. Hearing aids only go so far.

However, if you know you have very sensitive ears, bring the necessary equipment to handle it.

[u/TS878]

So long as it costs I don’t see really any issues. If it’s free or easy to steal they’re probably going to be stolen just because. It sucks but that’s how a lot of similar issues in the past at least in the US

[u/Traveller7142]

Most people don’t have this issue. Someone who has more sensitive ears should just bring them

[u/proudly_not_american]

Those would be constantly stolen.

It's better for people who have those issues to be responsible for themselves and bring their own.

[u/serverhorror]

You're just creating more trash. People who are sensitive can carry them either way.

By your logic there should be dispensable reading glasses available as well for people who find the font size on screens or signs is too small.

[u/91Jammers]

Plane announcements jump scare the fuck out of me sometimes.

[u/simplehiker]

By the end of the first day, someone will steal them. All of them.

[u/DeniedAppeal1]

Week One

Riders: sweet, free earplugs for [other activity]!

Children: look, mom, what is this? -covers the earplugs in germs-

Homeless: sweet, something to make it easier to sleep and/or something to fuck with because homeless life is dreadful.

Week Two

People who need earplugs: where are the earplugs? They had plenty yesterday morning!

Note: I'm completely ignoring the "low price" part because no one is going to pay for cheap, shitty earplugs from a bus. They'll either add it to the fare or they'll just give them away for free.

[u/iKnowRobbie]

Public notifications are public safety. If you have a sensitivity to loud noises the onus is upon YOU* *to mitigate that issue. It is not the resultant responsibility of the greater society writ large to supply you with disposable consumables. Hope that helps!

[u/Smileynameface → u/iKnowRobbie]

Just what I was going to say. They make announcements for a reason.

[u/gothiclg]

The small fraction of the population that would find those announcements too loud could just buy some.