There was a time when bands were trying to see who could have the loudest concerts. It was a challenge who could be in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The loudest concerts of all times
- (tie) Manowar 139db (1984 and 1994, both in Hanover, Germany)
- Kiss 130.4db (2009in Ottowa, Canada)
- Motorhead 130db (1986 in Cleveland, OH)
- AC/DC 130db (1983)
- The Beatles (1965…but that was the crowd, mostly)
- Ted Nugent 130db
- The Who 126db (1976 in London)
- Iron Maiden 124db (1990 at the Castle Donington Festival)
- Deep Purple 117db (1972 in London)
While that seems exciting to take part in, and funny, the average concert is around 115db. Take it from a guy who has lost 30% of his hearing in his left ear (yes, that is me) because of shows that are too loud and being closest to the stage isn’t always the best idea.
A little background on what happened, for me, in the summer and fall of 1990 and 1991, I decided I was going to every Metallica concert that came through Dallas, and I was there. I saw them with The Cult (which was outdoors), then with Queensryche, which was indoors and again with Guns N Roses (outdoors). But during the indoor show with Queensryche, I felt this excruciating pain my left ear and noticed blood coming from that ear, half-way though the show, but I, stupidly, stayed at the show, with my hand covering that ear, yet still in pain.
It started hurting so bad, I had to leave during the show, which is a big no-no for me. Over the next few days, I had a terrible ringing and a shit-load of pain, like someone was taking an ice pick to my inner ear. So I went to the doctor and I learned that I had ruptured my eardrum…which by the way, in the early 90’s there were not a lot of ways to fix this issue without significant risk, or no promises that the issues would be permanent. Luckily, this is not the case any more, but it is too late for me to get the surgery to fix this issue. Well, I could, but who knows how well it will work. HOWEVER, I was told to wear hearing protection…and I do every time and anyone who goes with me to a show, is required to do the same, if I am paying for the tickets.
(BTW, I went to see Slayer, Ministry and Primus a couple of years ago in Omaha and neither the foam ear plugs, nor the rubber ones helped me from feeling like a chainsaw was slicing through my brain, when Les Claypool was playing. This is never goes away, for me, for certain frequencies)
Anyway, back to the point at hand, like I mentioned earlier, most concerts are around 115db and 40% of younger people between the ages of 12 and 35 years old are being exposed to these levels or higher, hearing damage is happening more and more. With this knowledge, the World Health Organization (whom I am an not a fan of, in most cases) have made the suggestion that concert and club levels are brought down to around 100db. This is still loud, but causes a lot less damage to younger ears.
The WHO has also made a suggestion for “quiet zones”, which kind of defeats the purpose of the experience, but I do agree with their suggestion for lower maximum levels on ear buds and smart phones.
Keep in mind, these are suggestions, not laws, so don’t lose your shit over it. Most places won’t adhere to them, but I will tell you hearing protection is imperative, if you go to a show. Just a cheap set of foam or rubber ear inserts can help with the sound. Sure it is a bit muffled, but would you rather have ear piecing fidelity or a muffled visual experience?
Your call, but a simple $10 set of 20 foam ear plugs could be worth years of pain and, possible surgery. Just don’t be stupid, like me.
Source: Reuters