Thousands of clubbers at risk of permanent hearing damage
Wednesday 03 October 2012
Most clubbers in the Netherlands have problems with their hearing after visiting a concert or disco and one-third still report hearing peeping and whistling sounds the next day, according to research by the national hearing association.
Some 130,000 people aged 18 to 35 took part in the survey. Very few wear earplugs to dampen the noise, the research found.
The association said the findings are disturbing because frequent exposure to loud music and sounds at between 100 and 110 decibels can lead to permanent hearing damage.
No limit
In the Netherlands there is no legal maximum for music but the industry has an informal limit of 103 decibels. However, there are no sanctions for clubs which play louder music.
The Volkskrant report quotes KRO dj Paul Rabbering who discovered two years ago he has developed permanent damage to his hearing because of the loud music.
‘I always wear properly fitted earplugs if I am at a concert or festival and if I am working, my headphones are never too loud,’ he said.
Has your hearing been affected? Have your say using the comment box below.
© DutchNews.nl
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This is something I don't understand in the NL. In the concerts they turn up the volume so much that you are not able to hear the music anymore. It just explodes in your ear. Some people use earplugs but these give the sound a very different characteristic and the music is not heard as what its meant. Not turning up the volume so much would be the logical thing to do, you'd think.
By puskul | 3 October 2012 8:44 AMwho has to go clubbing to have hearing loose? I get it from my neighbors playing there music full blast
By dee | 3 October 2012 9:05 AMWhat???
By DH | 3 October 2012 9:06 AMnice one DH :-)
By yougottafightforyourrighttopartyyyy | 3 October 2012 4:56 PMAttending Dutch nightclubs might increase your risk of hearing damage.
However, working in a Dutch workplace, with Dutch radio stations being played at maximum volume (never mind the phones as they're only customers/managers/whatever on the other end of the line) with whatever is classed as 'music' here (melody and/or lyrics optional) significantly increases Mental Scarring!
By osita | 3 October 2012 7:30 PMThis isn't just an issue in Holland, its a tough thing to regulate anywhere. I've had permanent tinnitus in my left ear since I was 20. Not much fun but you get used to it. And I still don't wear ear plugs....
By Bob | 3 October 2012 9:00 PMPuskul: If you get earplugs for €20-30 they do not change the sound characteristics that much. Only the cheaper ones does that.
By lowtek | 5 October 2012 5:20 AM"you are not able to hear the music any more"... eeh.. bullshit..try hugging the speakers next time ;) f-ck volume limits, the harder the better..if you cant take it - wear earplugs..or stay at home..
By say what? cant hear you | 7 October 2012 4:30 PM