Dhaka’s streets are a relentless storm of sound. Blaring horns, roaring motorcycles, and construction noise from ongoing infrastructure projects create an environment where the city itself seems to scream. While adults feel the strain, children are the most affected.
Experts warn that prolonged exposure to high noise levels can harm children’s memory, attention, sleep, hearing, and emotional development, causing silent but long-lasting physical and mental injuries.
Eshan, a sixth-grader at Nawabpur Government High School, struggles to focus amid the noise. His mother, Firoza Islam, said, “Horns blare all day outside the school. Even at home, he gets headaches. He cannot concentrate on studies and struggles to sleep at night.”
Fourteen-year-old Tanha from Lalbagh experiences similar difficulties. “Before exams, if I try to study and hear traffic horns outside, I get angry, my head starts hurting, and sometimes I even cry,” she said. Her mother, Majeda Mahmud, added, “Her behavior has changed. She gets irritated at small noises, which never happened before.”
Barsha, a fifth-grader from Banglamotor, also suffers. Her father, Borhan Hossain, said, “We live next to a main road. Horns blare all night. She cannot sleep properly, wakes up tired, and sometimes falls asleep in school.” Barsha said, “I often get severe headaches and eye pain. I can’t concentrate on my studies, and my exam results have dropped.”
Dhaka ranks among the world’s noisiest cities. While exposure to 80–85 decibels can damage hearing, the city’s average noise levels reach up to 125 decibels, putting children and adults at risk. According to WHO guidelines, adults should not be exposed to more than 70 decibels, and children should ideally face 45–50 decibels. In reality, children in Dhaka’s schools, homes, and playgrounds are exposed to twice or more than the safe limits.
A study, Environmental Noise Exposure and Learning Performance of Secondary School Students, found classroom noise ranging from 73 to 81 decibels, which reduces attention, strains hearing, impairs memory, and increases behavioral problems.
Hamida Begum, a teacher at Tejgaon Model High School, said, “Horns on the streets are so loud that sometimes children’s voices cannot be heard in class. We have to raise our voices to teach, which tires both students and teachers.”
Assistant Professor Arifa Rahman from Dhaka University’s Department of Psychology said, “Children’s brains are still developing. Constant exposure to loud noise reduces concentration, weakens the ability to follow instructions, and can even affect IQ over time. These effects are gradual, so families often don’t realize that learning difficulties are caused by noise.”
Dr. M. K. Talukdar, pediatric specialist at Bangladesh Medical University, said: “Noise triggers stress responses in children, increasing irritability, anxiety, hyperactivity, inattention, and behavioral problems. Nighttime noise disrupts sleep, weakening the immune system and reducing learning capacity. Children living near busy roads often experience nightmares, fear, and daytime fatigue.”
Hearing loss is another alarming effect. According to the Department of Environment and Waterkeepers Bangladesh (2025), nearly 11.7% of the population is at risk due to noise pollution. Children’s sensitive auditory systems make them particularly vulnerable. Dr. Talukdar added, “Long-term exposure can even cause permanent hearing loss.”
Traffic horns and construction are the main sources of noise in Dhaka. Infrastructure projects, including flyovers, metro rail, road expansions, and new buildings, generate noise levels of 80–100 decibels for hours daily. Dr. Dipita Hossain, BUET’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning, said: “Noise control technologies are mandatory at construction sites, but in practice, they are rarely used. Silencers are absent, work hours are ignored, and many sites operate late into the night. Construction near schools or homes poses a severe threat to children.”
Suburban areas such as Ashulia in Savar also expose children to loud industrial machinery, affecting sleep, study, and focus. Dr. Asib Ahmed, Dhaka University’s Department of Geography and Environment, said: “We often underestimate noise, but it disrupts children’s body clocks, sleep routines, learning ability, and even heart health. Long-term exposure reduces productivity and is a serious warning for the nation’s future.”
Financial constraints leave many parents feeling helpless. Abu Jahir said: “My nine-year-old son has become very restless. He cannot sit quietly to study. Doctors explained that noise is causing ‘hyperarousal,’ meaning he’s constantly in a heightened state. We never realized noise could cause such harm.”
Globally, studies show long-term noise exposure significantly affects children’s physical, mental, and educational development. Research indicates 35–70% of children suffer from sleep problems, 18–34% from headaches, 22–40% from irritability or behavioral issues, and 8–15% from tinnitus or hearing impact. High classroom noise can reduce learning efficiency by 4–10%, disrupting attention, memory retention, and speech comprehension.
Bangladesh’s Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2006, set limits of 55 decibels during the day and 45 at night in residential areas, with stricter rules for silent zones. In reality, daytime noise often reaches 70–100 decibels, and horn bans are frequently ignored. Enforcement remains weak.
Dr. Dipita Hossain warned, “Noise pollution is often seen as minor, but its impact is profound. If not controlled, the mental development, behavior, and learning ability of future generations will be compromised. Noise is a silent pandemic. Policymakers and citizens must take responsibility, and awareness programs are essential to make the city safe for children.”
