News item | 28-06-2023 | 5:00 PM
To better combat hearing damage caused by amplified music, the Covenant Prevention of Hearing Damage Amplified Music is being expanded with new partners. The Association for Stage Technology (VPT) joins. This means that the sound engineers are also directly represented as a group in the covenant. Koninklijke Horeca Nederland (KHN) is also investigating how it can join the covenant to protect employees and visitors against possible hearing damage. Joining KHN is an important step, because young people usually go out to a café or club more often than they visit a concert or festival.
I Love My Ears Campaign expanded
Even if the sound standards for amplified music are properly observed, people themselves must take action to protect their hearing. In addition to expanding the covenant, there will therefore be more information about the prevention of hearing damage. The existing I Love My Ears campaign of the covenant partners will be expanded. With this campaign, visitors are urged to wear earplugs with a music filter, to keep a sufficient distance from speakers and to give their hearing a break on a regular basis. The Alcohol Act will be amended in such a way that the so-called retail ban in the hospitality industry does not apply to earplugs. So that they can be sold.
Largest short-term health gain
State Secretary Maarten van Ooijen (VWS): “Over the past few months I have had intensive discussions with many people involved. Based on this, it has become clear to me that extra action to protect people as well as possible against hearing damage is really necessary and that we will make the greatest health gain in the short term if we expand and tighten the covenant. It’s really good news that KHN is looking into joining. This means that all kinds of venues with loud music – such as clubs and party cafés – will fall under the agreements and noise standards of the covenant.”
Reduction of noise levels
The current covenant applies a maximum noise level of 103 dB. Partly based on the precautionary principle, the Health Council recommends a maximum noise level of 100 dB. In practice, noise levels are often below 100 dB, as evidenced by data collected in recent years in the registration system for noise measurements in the covenant. This data will be further analysed. More knowledge of places and times of temporary exceedances can lead to better control. For music activities with an expected noise level between 100 and 103 dB, the covenant partners will endeavor to bring the noise level below 100 dB where possible while maintaining an optimal experience. In addition to 103 dB, the registration system will also work with a level of 100 dB.