Have you ever been to a rock club and thought, "could this music be any louder?" Normally, if the establishment you are frequenting is worth its salt, you won't be able to hear yourself think, let alone strike up a conversation with friends.
Have you ever been to a rock club and thought, "could this music be any louder?" Normally, if the establishment you are frequenting is worth its salt, you won't be able to hear yourself think, let alone strike up a conversation with friends. And let's face it, who needs thoughts when you're listening to a face-melting solo? The thing is, though, that certain levels of noise can be detrimental to the health of patrons. At the moment, there is no concrete legislation limiting music volume. Should this be changed?
There have been some inventions that have pushed the limits of what the human ear is capable of listening to, with one speaker supposedly able to kill people by literally shaking their brains loose. While listening to loud music is enjoyable, there are obviously limits to what we humans can handle. This is why it might be wise to put laws in place to regulate noise levels.
There have been some inventions that have pushed the limits of what the human ear is capable of listening to, with one speaker supposedly able to kill people by literally shaking their brains loose. While listening to loud music is enjoyable, there are obviously limits to what we humans can handle. This is why it might be wise to put laws in place to regulate noise levels.
At the current time in the UK, there is no specific law which states the highest level that music can be played to audiences. The Health and Safety Executive only has strong recommendations about the limit to how loud the volume should be turned. The organisation states that the A-weighted sound level shouldn't exceed 107 decibels and the C-weighted levels shouldn't go above 140 decibels. In addition to this, audiences shouldn't be allowed within three metres of a loudspeaker.
Having regulation on music volume wouldn't be something out of the ordinary. Laws are in place in other sectors of the entertainment industry to protect people as well. The gambling sector, for instance, has numerous regulations in place to keep players safe. An example of this has recently been seen in Wales, where the UK Gambling Commission launched a National Strategy for reducing gambling related harm. This includes prevention and education surrounding how to focus on entertainment instead of profit, along with treatment and support for those with addictions.
While it seems sensible to protect eardrums by keeping volumes regulated, on a lighter note, research has shown that there are some benefits to listening to heavy metal and rock music. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Community Psychology discovered that listening to heavy metal can boost mental health and acts as a great outlet for youngsters aged between 18 and 24. It has also been found that cyclists work harder when listening to upbeat rock with a fast tempo, helping them to make the most of their fitness regimes. In addition to this, rock music is a way to reduce stress because it helps listeners process their anger.
There are no official laws limiting the noise levels in the UK, but listeners who like it loud should be aware that too many decibels can cause irreparable damage to the eardrums. That friend of yours who insists on taking earplugs to concerts might have a point. However, listening to rock and heavy metal in the right way can have great health benefits, science says. As if we ever doubted it!
Having regulation on music volume wouldn't be something out of the ordinary. Laws are in place in other sectors of the entertainment industry to protect people as well. The gambling sector, for instance, has numerous regulations in place to keep players safe. An example of this has recently been seen in Wales, where the UK Gambling Commission launched a National Strategy for reducing gambling related harm. This includes prevention and education surrounding how to focus on entertainment instead of profit, along with treatment and support for those with addictions.
While it seems sensible to protect eardrums by keeping volumes regulated, on a lighter note, research has shown that there are some benefits to listening to heavy metal and rock music. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Community Psychology discovered that listening to heavy metal can boost mental health and acts as a great outlet for youngsters aged between 18 and 24. It has also been found that cyclists work harder when listening to upbeat rock with a fast tempo, helping them to make the most of their fitness regimes. In addition to this, rock music is a way to reduce stress because it helps listeners process their anger.
There are no official laws limiting the noise levels in the UK, but listeners who like it loud should be aware that too many decibels can cause irreparable damage to the eardrums. That friend of yours who insists on taking earplugs to concerts might have a point. However, listening to rock and heavy metal in the right way can have great health benefits, science says. As if we ever doubted it!
