Don’t lose the music: Clubbing yourself deaf
Don’t lose the music: Clubbing yourself deaf
Lisa McDonald
We are facing a generation who will have hearing damage. We are exposed to much more noise than ever before. Social noise tripled since the 80’s. This generation will have their grandparents hearing at their parents age.
The damage affects people differently. Loud music may have temporary or permanent damaging effects. The hair cells in the ear die from loud music. Tinnitus (permanent ringing in the ears) can also occur. There is no cure for tinnitus, and in UK, it is linked with sleep deprivation and depression. Hyperacusis – sudden exposure to loud music – can cause hypersensitivity.
www.dontlosethemusic.com is a website created to increase awareness of the potential for hearing loss and damage. If you can’t talk to someone two metres away without shouting then it’s too loud! Dangerous noises don’t equate to being un-pleasurable. Once noise-induced hearing loss happens, it’s too late because there is currently no cure (hearing aids only amplify what hearing you have left).
Human impact of hearing loss is dramatic. The aim of the campaign was to stop premature deafness. A survey was done which found that there was very low levels of awareness of the risks and factors associated with hearing loss, and low awareness of the warning signs.
Messages for club and venue owners:
- consider safe listening for patrons in acoustic design process
- provide chill out space which is actually quiet
- publish noise levels
- visible and available ear plugs
Messages for clubbers
- look after your ears now, enjoy music forever
- many different kinds of ear plugs to choose from (See website)