title: The efficacy of sound regulations on the listening levels of pop concerts.
abstract: This analysis of new and previously collected data was done to validate the efficacy of recommendations for limits regarding sound exposure levels at live pop concerts. After the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limiting the sound levels at such concerts to avoid noise induced hearing damage among the audience, the actual levels at concerts where these recommendations are observed, have stabilized around 100 dBA. This is a level that is considered acceptable by WHO. At concerts where there are no limitations, however, the sound levels in the audience area are still increasing far beyond safe limits and thus the exposure may represent a serious threat to people's hearing.
authors.affiliation: a SINTEF ICT , Trondheim , Norway.
authors.forename: Truls
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gjestland
authors.affiliation: a SINTEF ICT , Trondheim , Norway.
authors.forename: Tron Vedul
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Tronstad
mesh_terms: D004430:Ear Protective Devices; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced; D006801:Humans; D009146:Music; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D009664:Norway; D013016:Sound; D014012:Tinnitus; D014944:World Health Organization
keywords: Concerts; WHO recommendations; festivals; sound levels