Project that prohibits loud sound without headphones on buses in Maceió advances in the Maceió Chamber The Maceió City Council approved this Wednesday (10) the bill that prohibits the use of sound devices without headphones on buses in the capital. The proposal, by councilor Allan Pierre, prohibits the use of speakers, cell phones and other devices that emit sounds capable of disturbing other passengers on public transport. The objective is to ensure greater peace of mind during travel and reduce the impact of excess noise. During the proceedings, the rapporteur on the Hygiene and Public Health Commission, councilor Marcelo Palmeira, highlighted that frequent exposure to intense sounds in closed environments can cause stress, irritability and mental fatigue. The text treats noise control as a public health measure. READ ALSO: Bus tickets from Maceió are cheaper with 'Vamu Cidadão'; find out how to request the card Hearing damage Audiologist Lauralice Marques warns that portable speakers can reach between 90 and 95 decibels, enough intensity to cause permanent damage to hearing. "Around 90 to 95 decibels is already an intensity that can cause hearing loss. After about an hour of exposure, damage can already occur," he explained. According to the expert, the noise from the engine and traffic causes passengers to turn up the volume on their headphones, which increases the risk of injuries. She also points out that in-ear headphones (inserted into the ear canal) tend to be more harmful than external models because they are closer to the eardrum. LEARN MORE: Can headphones affect your hormones? "Conversation inside the bus does not harm hearing. The problem is the intense and prolonged sounds," he said. Benedito Bentes bus terminal, upper part of Maceió Reproduction/Secom Maceió