As if Los Angeles residents didn’t already have to battle the stereotype of the self-centered-ness, inhabitants of Westwood’s North Village have added to the burden.

In a recent meeting with the medical director, Dr. James Atkinson, of the UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center, residents complained of helicopter noise. The hospital apologized and assured residents that they would begin measures to limit the noise interruptions during the precious time of the residents.

But what the residents fail to understand, or selfishly ignore, is the fact that the helicopters are bringing injured persons to one of the best hospitals in the country.

It should be the priority of pilots and residents to ensure safe and rapid landings. The hospital should be commended for trying to minimize the noise, but their priority should remain their patients’ welfare.

If the noise is just too much for the tender ears of North Village residents, they should consider a novel invention – earplugs. God forbid that residents suffer from such an awful plight as a minor noise irritation that comes with saving lives.