Garth Rattray | When music becomes noise

Jamaica’s Noise Abatement Act of 1997 is up for review. Although noise is never musical, music can be [very] noisy. Loud music can be extremely invasive, disturbing, intensely unpleasant, blatantly clamorous, conspicuously offensive, and harmful to our health.

This is the crux of the matter when it comes to some outdoor entertainment events. Some are way too loud and/or crude. Depending on the volume, they can be unhealthy and, not only infringe on, but also totally ignore, disrespect, trample on and annihilate the Constitutional rights of all nearby citizens.

Every so often, we all seek entertainment. It provides a break from the stresses of life and can help ‘reset’ our emotions. It can bring joy and be very pleasant. The entertainment industry provides essential income for our country and for many people within society. However, it is a problem if and when it becomes harmful.

Most people do not realise that high volumes can be unsafe and even dangerous to their health and to the health of others within the vicinity. Powerful music amplifiers can produce peaks of over 5,000 watts per channel. “Watts per channel” indicates the power sent to each individual speaker. Although powerful amplifiers [for outdoor use] can peak at over 5,000 watts per channel, they usually operate at about 300 to 600 watts RMS (root mean square) during continuous use.

Cellular phones typically produce peaks of about two watts to the earphones. However, during continuous use, the RMS is between 2 milliwatts (0.002 watts) and 30 milliwatts (0.030 watts) per channel.

The damage from loudness is determined by the decibels produced. Powerful [professional] outdoor speakers usually produce between 95 and 110 decibels (dB) but can exceed 120 dB. Sustained exposure to levels higher than 100 dB can damage your hearing in five minutes or less.

High-end portable speakers and large [permanently installed] outdoor speakers can pump out 95 to over 100 dB. Specialised [professional grade] speakers can push over 130 dB to provide high-quality, concert-level sound to large backyards and spacious outdoor events, even at beaches with continuously crashing waves.

Shockingly, because of their design, some earphones and earbuds that are attached to cellular telephones, and other electronic devices, can produce peak volumes of 100 to 115 dB, and sometimes even over 120 dB. These sound levels are comparable to and can cause just as much damage to your hearing as outdoor events. You will therefore recall that the volume level on cellular phones have warnings (in red) against setting the earphone volume too high because the intensity that they produce can severely and permanently damage your hearing.

Some music events/concerts patrons enjoy an up close and personal relationship with the huge 20-inch woofers that push out ‘concert level’ sound of 100 to 130 dB. They like to feel the ‘music’ thumping them in the chest. But that level of sound is almost the same as commercial jets when they are taking off; they produce up to 140 to 150 dB. At 300 metres away, that noise level approximates 100 dB. Pneumatic drills (like ‘Jack hammers’) also produce about 130 dB. Many construction workers do not protect their ears and therefore suffer from ‘occupational deafness’. For context it should be noted that 85 dB is the point at which hearing damage can begin after two hours.

Some folks are aware of “occupational deafness” – the permanent hearing loss caused by prolonged exposure to noise of 85 dB or higher while on the job. But many are unaware of “entertainment deafness” – the type of noise-induced hearing loss caused by prolonged exposure to loud music from headphones, nightclubs, gaming devices, or indoor or outdoor concerts. Both occur when high-volume sound damages our tiny stereocilia (highly specialised, and very sensitive hair-like cells that allow us to perceive sound). These are found in the inner ear.

Extremely loud sounds can lead to immediate and permanent hearing loss. Prolonged exposure to loud sounds will lead to temporary, then gradual onset, permanent hearing loss. There are many young people who are walking around with muffled hearing, difficulty hearing conversations, ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus) and varying degrees of deafness because of the loudness at the entertainment events that they attend. Experts recommend the 60/60 rule - limiting our exposure to sound to 60 percent of the maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.

There is a decibel comparison table for your hearing. Normal conversation is 70 dB. Exposure to the noise from heavy traffic (85 dB) for over 2 hours can damage your hearing. Using a hairdryer or revving a motorcycle (both are 100 dB) puts your hearing at risk after 15 mins. Someone shouting in your ear (110 dB) can damage your hearing after 2.5 minutes. Music events at very high volume put your hearing at risk after only 12 seconds.

I am therefore totally amazed when I drive by a ‘session’ with the volume turned up so high that it rattles the entire motor vehicle and attempts to dislodge all my teeth. I see patrons calmly standing within close range of sets of massive boxes with 20-inch woofers, midrange (horns and speakers), and piezoelectric tweeters that violate their innards.

Similarly, sometimes vehicles drive by with music blasting from inside the cabin. I always wonder how the occupants manage to keep their eyeballs in their sockets and their brains from leaking out of their deaf ears.

Next week: Loud music is noise pollution

Garth Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice, and author of ‘The Long and Short of Thick and Thin’. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@gmail.com.