Gun shots are loud, we know. They can reach decibels of over
140, which are louder than a jet engine, and to unprotected ears that can
result in a lot of damage.
But what about other things that are loud? Like a rock
concert, or furthermore, even band practice -- high school band practice.
In a medical study by Harvard published in The Journal of
the American Medical Association, one in five teens may be suffering from hearing
loss so severe that it may be permanent. Some teens attend concerts, which can
typically range in from the 90-110 decibel range for more than three hours that
can lead to damage.
But furthermore, more teens, especially younger teens, participate in band practice at
their own high schools. A high school
newspaper, The Lance of Linganore High School
in Maryland, recently conducted a study to see how loud a typical band
practice is. Their results found at full volume, musicians were exposed to
decibel levels ranging from 90-100, and at times over 100.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
provides guidelines to workplaces that are exposed to high volumes of noise.
Any workplace that reaches over 85 decibels is required to wear hearing
protection.
So what about band practice or musicians? Well ESP’s dynamic
will provide in-ear protection to musicians who are exposed to hours and hours’ worth
of loud noise over a long period of time. Musicians young and old can protect their
ears while still being able to hear at a safe volume.
Here's another story on hearing protection too from KABC-7 in LA.
