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Sound advice to protect your hearing

Don't Lose The Music

Wednesday, 27 February 2008

We’ve all done it. Brought the boom, boom home with us as we lie in our bed with the buzz of the night before still ringing in our ears. Whether it was a session too close to the guitar solo, an ill advised embrace of the bass bins or an encounter too close to a screaming drag queen, the decibels we deal can be very damaging. Add the risk those working in the entertainment industry take and the need for protection becomes crystal clear. On April 6th 2008, the new Control of Noise at Work Regulations comes into effect all across the entertainment industry. Having been in effect in the industry sector since 2006, the law makes it compulsory for employers to provide their employees with suitable hearing protection in environments where the sound may be above acceptably safe levels (more than 85db) and risk conditions such as tinnitus. The new regulations will have most impact on club land and at live events where music is often at incredibly loud volumes (95db and higher), with many DJs, performers, sound engineers, bar workers and club goers currently oblivious to the potential damage being done to their hearing. Employees will now be able to request hearing protection and the employer will be obliged to supply them with suitable protection. This may only affect the workplace, but as a clubbers or gig goers how do we protect our hearing? Should our love of a decent bass line have the kind of long lasting effects we’ll find hard to repair?

The Royal National Institute for Deaf people (RNID), the largest charity working to change the world for the UK’s 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people, has launched their Don’t Lose The Music campaign and are seeing some sound effects. Audio Relief alongside other companies, including Custom Ear Protection, Sensorcom and Enhanced Listening, are stepping up to the challenge of protecting our hearing and providing effective and affordable hearing protection that can not only save your ears, but can actually enhance the sound quality of your night out. One size fits all; custom moulds or additions to in-ear headphones earplugs are now available. Listen too long or too loud without protection and your hearing could suffer with conditions including tinnitus; noise induced hearing loss or Hyperacusis. Audio Relief, commenting on the new regulations said, “we are constantly working with clubs such as Ministry of Sound and charitable organisations such as the RNID to raise awareness of the issues surrounding noise induced hearing loss and tinnitus. Our in-ear monitors are championed by top DJ’s including Goldie, LTJ Bukem and bands like The Hoosiers.” Metalheadz’ Goldie echoed the need for sound protection saying – in his own imitable style - “Get it sorted; you only have one pair of lugholes!” Sound advice indeed.

Want to protect your hearing courtesy of Audio Relief? For a 5% Discount for custom hearing protection use code:ROCK1 and for a 10% Discount on everything else use code:ROCK2 at www.audiorelief.co.uk/shop

www.dontlosethemusic.com
www.rnid.org.uk
www.hse.gov.uk/noise/regulations.htm