Music only needs to be amplified to a maximum of 100 decibels during concertsand parties. The Health Council advises this on Wednesday to the cabinet,which is concerned about the increasing hearing damage in our country. Therecommended limit is 3 decibels less than has now been agreed.
The Health Council believes that it will not be possible to prevent hearingdamage if music venues, among other things, decide for themselves how loud themusic is. That is why the cabinet should also think about legislation, theadvisory body believes.
The Health Council has laid down the limit in the Covenant for the Preventionof Hearing Damage Amplified Music, to which organizers of events and musicvenues, among others, are affiliated. The current agreement expires next year.The Council proposes involving more parties in the covenant.
Hearing loud noises frequently or for prolonged periods can lead to hearingdamage. This can happen, for example, at concerts and via your own equipmentsuch as earplugs. Dutch research shows that about 54 percent of twelve toeighteen-year-olds are currently at risk.
By reducing music by 3 decibels, the pressure on the hearing organ isconsiderably reduced. In that case, people can tolerate pressure on thehearing for longer without too much risk of damage. In the meantime, they canstill enjoy the music with 3 decibels less.
According to a manufacturer of hearing protection, the noise level of 100decibels is comparable to the sound of a fighter jet at a height of 300meters. At 105 decibels, the noise level is comparable to a helicopter upclose.
Music venues doubt the usefulness of lower noise levels
The Association of Dutch Poppodia and Festivals (VNPF) doubts whether thesocial problem of increasing hearing damage can be solved by lowering thenoise level in that sector. This is what director Berend Schans says inresponse to the advice of the Health Council.
He points out that children also suffer from hearing damage. “The hearingdamage that is diagnosed in eight and nine-year-olds is not because of us.”The VNPF director prefers a broader approach to the problem. For examplethrough campaigns, such as those against mobile phone calls behind the wheelor against drinking alcohol by minors.
Schans adds that even a lower noise level is not without risk. “There could bea kind of atmosphere where visitors think: it’s safe now, so I don’t needhearing protection. As a result, they are still at risk.”
Measure offers no guarantee against hearing damage
The proposed measure does not offer a full guarantee against hearing damage.But every measure that contributes to reducing pressure on the hearing canreduce the risk of permanent hearing damage, says the Health Council.
The Council also wants to prevent the risk of damage to hearing by encouraginghearing protection. Knowledge Center SafetyNL agrees. “Where possible, thisadvice should certainly be followed, but this possible reduction alone isinsufficient. Earplugs or other ways to protect the ears must reduce the noiseby at least 12 decibels,” says the knowledge center.
According to the advisory body, more information should also be provided aboutthe consequences of too much noise for hearing. “Hearing damage isirreversible and untreatable and therefore has a major impact on people’squality of life.”