Noise Levels, Hearing Disturbances, and Use of Hearing Protection at Entertainment Venues

An investigation of noise levels experienced bypatrons and workers at entertainment venues, and asurvey of exposure times, experience of adverseeffects, attitudes towards noise levels and hearingprotection, use of hearing protection, and knowledgeof noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) educationcampaigns were undertaken. Noise level measurementswere taken at various points in the venues and aquestionnaire was conducted with 303 of the patrons.Mean recorded sound levels exceeded 95 dB (A)and mean exposure time was almost five hoursper session. The majority (81%) of respondents hadsuffered auditory symptoms such as temporaryhearing loss, tinnitus and headache. The use ofearplugs was low, especially in females and thoseunder 26 years old.The results suggest that regular patrons and staff ofthese venues are at risk of NIHL. Recollection of aNIHL education campaign does not appear to influencethe rate of hearing protection use. Regulating thenoise level of venues must be considered as the mosteffective strategy to prevent NIHL.