Sound Pressure Levels - Exposure

Many club / live venues (not to mention many car stereo systems!) are capable of delivering high sound pressure levels (SPL)

Included here is some basic info relating to SPL, exposure and safety.

The above is a chart based on the internationally recognized data from the World Health Organization.

The base reference for the "safe" level is 40 hours exposure at 85dB. For every 3 dB increase (a double in the peceived level) the exposure time halves.

As you can see many clubs expose staff / patrons to high audio levels (up and above the sound of the crowd.)

Management of such venues should

  1. provide warning to staff / patrons by way of signage that such levels may exisit
  2. provide hearing protection to staff that desire it (some clubs also make them available free of charge to patrons who ask)
  3. equip the audio equipment with suitable compression / limiting devices to reduce extreme exposure.

When attending large shows [which I wish to listen to / attend] I use a standard cylindrical "foamy" earplug (the type often sold by hardware shops) cut in half. They quite efficiently reduce the total level and actually increase the clarity of the sound. In fact it is EASIER to talk to people when wearing these than without. Try it - you won't be disappointed. Many associates of mine have tried and never looked back.