The Danger
Exposure to loud sound can permanently damage your hearing. The
damage is mechanical - there is permanant irreversible damage to
the special cells which sense sound in your ears. The damage accumulates
throughout your life in proportion to How Loud and How Long your
exposure is.
It's insidious .. you may not notice until it's too late. People's
susceptibility varies widely. You may be more sensitive than average
and there's no way of knowing.
Danger signs
If your hearing becomes dull or there is ringing in your ears
('tinnitus') after exposure to loud sound, this is bad. Whilst
both will seem to recover, you will probably have done a small
amount of permanent damage...all these small amounts add up over
your life.
But remember, you may still damage your ears even if you get neither
of these signs - and you may get Tinnitus for completely unrelated
reasons. |
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How to reduce it
Understand the danger (see left side of this page).
Reduce the length of time you are exposed.
Reduce the sound level to which your ears are exposed.
Don't stand too near the Bateria if you are not playing.
Use good ear plugs. If you
find that you can't hear the music properly with the earplugs we
provide for you free at our workshops, invest in a good pair of
earplugs designed for musicians which you can buy
online in our shop these last for a year or so. It could
be the best investment you ever make.
Don't forget that any noise exposure at other times (eg in clubs
or at work) makes the problem much worse.
Follow the advice on the website Don't
Lose the Music.
A really good idea is to get an audiogram done every few years
as this will show whether you are developing permanent damage. |
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How loud is safe?
A good guide is given by the Noise at
Work Regulations which requires action where noise exposure exceeds
the equivalent of 80 dBA for 8 hours per day and requires
hearing protection to be worn in areas where exposure may exceed
85 dBA
for 8 hours per day.
For someone exposed to noise for just 4 hours per
week (and not going to clubs!), an equal danger would exist for
noise levels of 90 dBA and 95 dBA.
At the ears of bateria members playing indoors,
a typical LAeq is 115 dB. (maximum levels at the ears
of taborim and surdo players are about 120 dBA).
Bateria members must wear earplugs. Those who play for
about 4 hours per week should wear earplugs which give at least
20 dB attenuation at all frequencies.
The LAeq at some distance from the bateria can be
around 100 dB. Whilst this is lower than many clubs, dancers are
also advised to wear earplugs, but these need give attenuation
of less (say, 10 dB at all frequencies).
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