Turn it down!
COUNCIL WARNS OF THE DANGERS OF LOUD MUSIC
PEOPLE in Lisburn have been warned they are risking their hearing by
playing music too loud. During the recent 'Noise Action Week' the Council's
Environmental Health Officers talked about the dangers of prolonged
exposure to loud music to over 250 young people and parents at various
locations in the Lisburn area.
They said prolonged exposure from listening to MP3 players, home and in-car entertainment systems, music pubs, clubs and concerts can cause long-term hearing loss.
Councillor Betty Campbell, Chairman of the Council's Environmental Services Committee, said: "Young people were encouraged to turn down the volume of their personal music players to a level that cannot be heard by others nearby. This simple measure should enable them to continue to enjoy music in years to come. The Officers also used a decibel meter to measure the volume of music being listened to by members of the public."
She stressed the council wasn't trying to deter people from listening to their favourite music. "It is requesting that they implement sensible precautions to reduce the risk of permanently damaging their hearing" Mrs. Campbell said. The council said that everyday people experience noise which is normally heard at safe levels that do not affect hearing. However, when exposed to harmful noise —sounds that are too loud or loud sounds that last a long time — sensitive structures in the inner ear can be damaged. Loud noise can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss.
Mrs. Campbell added: "The use of headphones that are provided with protective filters or taking regular breaks if using alternative earphones can reduce any harmful noise effects, and remember turning the volume down by only one notch can make a difference."
Ulster Star
14/05/2010
