Remembering Dr. Arline Bronzaft

Remembering Arline

A leader who worked tirelessly to solve noise issues

In October 2025, we lost a leader, a mentor, and a friend: Dr. Arline Bronzaft. She worked tirelessly for decades on noise issues. From her pioneering research on the effects of noise on children’s learning in the 1970s, through working with multiple city administrations, to collaborating with other noise experts, Arline Bronzaft was generous with her time. She was a wealth of information. And she displayed seemingly endless energy and knowledge about noise, human nature, and how to grease the wheels of bureaucracy. What’s more, she took great pleasure in mentoring newcomers to the field, and she loved connecting people with each other.

Soundproofist produced several podcast episodes with Dr. Bronzaft, including a mini-series called “Ask Arline,” where she answered a few questions from her avid followers. Our first podcast with her was in 2019. Below is a short YouTube video with excerpts from some of our conversations over Zoom.

When it came to negotiating with city officials about noise codes or with local neighborhoods about late-night noise, Arline had no equal. She continued writing articles and books, speaking in public, engaging with grassroots organizations, and suggesting actionable solutions for 50 years.

Arline Bronzaft is sorely missed, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and everyone whose lives she touched.