A Big 'Shout Out' that Needs to be Heard

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At your Leisure - 17 May 2004

Taking risks is a part of everyday life; if we wanted to avoid all dangers, we'd never leave the safety of the living room. But for millions of young people, their main social activity appears to be highly dangerous in an unexpected way. Regular nightclub-goers are at a greatly increased risk of suffering a permanent disability - long-term hearing loss. In this At your Leisure we look into the problem of noise and the damage it can do, when suffered over a sustained period. We compare noise experienced in various environments and investigate whether there are 'safe' levels. We investigate what the law says about noise levels and look at how the EU has tightened up UK regulations. Finally we find out what you can do to protect yourself, whether you're going gigging, clubbing, or just doing your everyday thing.

Image: Regular nightclub-goers are at a greatly increased risk of suffering permanent hearing loss. Source: Sean Johnson, stock xchng

Go to Glastonbury and check out the RNID stall?
Make sure you remember to put your earplugs in your pocket when next you go out clubbing?
Get as far away as possible from the speakers at gigs?

Sounds like a great day out? Well, it could be the preservation of your hearing as you get older. We're not just talking about being able to hear when you go to bingo with your pension in your handbag. Loss of hearing, tinnitus and other disabilities can affect your ears at any age, but the chances are that if you don't look after your hearing, you'll get some problems as you enter middle age.

Who's most at risk?

Anyone near to loud noise over a sustained period is likely to damage their hearing. "How 'loud' is 'loud'?" I vaguely hear you ask. Let's look at decibel levels (expressed as dB(A)) in various environments:

Image: Some nightclub noise levels approach those of an airport runway. Source: Marcelo Silva, stock xchng

But the RNID (Royal National Institute for Deaf People) has found that noise levels in nightclubs range from 90 to 109 dB(A). Now, of course, when a pneumatic drill starts up as you pass by, you either cover your ears and/or walk faster. So your ears are exposed to possibly damaging noise levels only for a very short time. But when you go clubbing, you stay for hours on end - which explains the inability to hear very well afterwards. The RNID research was based on measurements taken in three clubs in each of the following cities, between 10 pm and 2 am - Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London and Manchester.

Why just pick on nightclubs?

Clubbing is a major leisure activity for many people. 3.8 million people go to clubs every week, according to estimates from the Bar Entertainment and Dance Association. It seems reasonable to target club-goers as part of the RNID's information campaign, called 'Don't Lose the Music'.

But it's not just ravers who should beware. The RNID also focuses on people who use headphones regularly; and with the price of 'walkman' cd and mp3 players having plummeted in recent years, this seems to include the majority of young people. Festival-goers are also warned about noise levels, with good reason, you might think. It's hard to imagine the decibel level in the Dance Tent at Glastonbury falling below 90 for any appreciable length of time.

Image: Festival-goers are also warned about noise levels. Source: Garret Keogh, stock xchng

What does the law say on noise?

Under the UK's 'Noise at Work' Regulations (1989) employers have to take steps to protect their employees' hearing. At 85 dB(A), staff must be warned about possible damage and should be provided with hearing protection. If noise levels reach 90 dB(A), the employer must ensure that ear protectors are worn and must identify ear protection zones.

But unfortunately, these regulations only apply to work situations, not your social life. So staff working in nightclubs may be more protected than the customers they are there to serve.

These legal thresholds for noise at work are due to be lowered in 2006 (reducing the acceptable levels of noise) and more workers will be covered by the law. This is the result of an EU Directive which came into force in 2003. The UK's Health and Safety Executive is responsible for introducing new regulations to comply with EU law.

How can the entertainment industry help?

When there is so much emphasis on personal safety surrounding the social activities of young people, you might think that clubs and bars (amongst other businesses) would do more to protect their customers. After all, society takes steps to warn young people about the dangers of smoking and drug taking. Messages about safe sex are targeted repeatedly at young people. It has become the norm for venues to offer clubbers free bottled water to avoid the dangers of dehydration. Why should protecting customers' hearing be any different?

The RNID campaign calls on club owners to publicise noise levels and display signs giving information on ear protection. It believes that ear plugs should be provided for sale, or distributed free in clubs. Also, promoters, ticket agencies and music retailers are asked to get involved in promoting the 'Don't Lose the Music' message.

What's the point in wearing ear plugs?

You might think that ear plugs would defeat the object of hearing music at clubs and festivals; but the RNID suggests otherwise. In fact they recommend spending up to £14 for a pair of re-useable plugs. Whilst reducing the volume of noise that surrounds you, these products also cut distortion. Users suggest that the clarity of the sound you hear can actually improve when using ear plugs.

With a pair of professional musicians' ear plugs costing £160 per pair, the cheaper option is much better than using the homemade solution of cotton wool, which doesn't work and can cause skin irritation.

For 'Walkman' users, the campaign suggests investing in a pair of plugs that fit onto in-ear headphones. These cut out background noise and mean you don't have to crank up the volume of your player, in order to drown out what's going on around you. They cost around £10 for three pairs.

Image: Regular wearers of headphones are also at risk of damage to their hearing. Source: Karl-Erik Bennion, stock xchng

Any other advice?

It seems that in clubs, even the refuge of the chill-out room may not help preserve your hearing. In their research, the RNID found that levels of noise in these supposedly 'quiet' areas often exceed 90dB(A). They recommend that clubbers:

Organisations also point to the use by clubbers of recreational drugs such as ecstasy, as part of the problem. In keeping with many other substances, ecstasy produces an analgesic effect that suppresses the body's response to pain. And because pain is the body's way of warning you of impending damage to yourself, this raises the likelihood of suffering hearing problems.

Image: Standing, dancing and sitting away from speakers is one of the best ways of avoiding hearing damage according to the RNID. Source: Matt Williams, stock xchng

What can I do if my hearing's affected?

Many people suffer short-term hearing problems after being exposed to loud noise over the course of an evening out. This is often limited to a dullness in the hearing that gradually improves within a day or two. If after 48 hours your normal hearing hasn't recovered, then the RNID warns that the hearing loss can be considered permanent. They advise you then to visit your GP.

So when you're next considering 'larging it up' on a night out, do you think you'll consider taking one extra form of protection, and take it easy on your ears? Perhaps it's too much to expect a radical change in people's behaviour overnight; especially when club promoters often choose to compete against one another in a battle of the sound systems. Let's hope that this message doesn't entirely fall on deaf ears, otherwise a generation of ravers could end up with exactly that.

At your Leisure - 17 May 2004