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The Health Board wants the maximum noise level for music in concert halls and clubs to be reduced. In an advice to the Cabinet, the Council calls for a reduction of the maximum noise level from 103 to 100 decibels. This is in line with a guideline from the World Health Organization (WHO).
The junta comes with advice at the request of the cabinet, because a package of agreements with, among other things, concert halls expires in December next year. It has now been agreed that the maximum noise level is 103 decibels. The use of hearing protection is also recommended by the WHO at 100 decibels, especially if people often hear noises at this level.
The Health Council wants the measures not only to apply to events and concerts, but also to cafes and gyms, for example.
Research shows that more than half of 12- to 18-year-olds are at risk of hearing damage. People get them, for example, from loud music in concert halls, but also from listening to loud music through headphones or earphones. Hearing damage is almost always incurable and negatively impacts people’s lives.
In September, the Association for Ear, Nose and Throat Medicine already supported before lowering of volume in the hospitality sector. An estimated 10 to 20 percent of the population suffers from tinnitus, a form of hearing damage in which people hear a sound that isn’t there.
Prevention
The Health Council also supports the continuation of existing preventive measures, such as encouraging the use of hearing protection and providing information. The Council also recommends continuing the other measures of the pact, such as monitoring noise levels and providing information.
It is not yet clear whether and which parts of the council will be adopted. The House of Representatives is already discussing possible interim measures to prevent hearing damage on December 8, Secretary of State Van Ooijen (VWS) told the House earlier.
Around two million Dutch people suffer from some form of tinnitus. NOS op 3 explains what it is in the video below:
Always a bad sound: tinnitus explained
