What in the World - Loudcasting: Is it ever OK to go headphone free in public?

Download Loudcasting: Is it ever OK to go headphone free in public?

There’s a name for when people blare out music, scroll through social media on full volume or talk on loudspeaker in public - loudcasting. Surveys show that in the U.K. most adults find this behaviour irritating, but there’s also data suggesting that your age and culture may influence how indifferent you are to this kind of noise. BBC Reporter Angus Thompson tells us what experts say and explains why some people get so annoyed. Plus we hear from our friends across the World Service about loudcasting in their country.

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Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden
Editors: Verity Wilde

Published on Monday, 10th August 2026.

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