by Dr. Levi A. Reiter for COLlive
As an Audiologist, I am often asked by friends, acquaintances, and patients to write something about the sound levels presented at weddings and similar festive occasions.
Are they possibly dangerous to our hearing abilities? Can these levels cause permanent hearing loss?
The answer to these questions depends on the loudness of the music and the length of time one listens to it.
If the combination of music level and listening time exceeds the established critical values, then yes, permanent hearing loss can result.
According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), one can be exposed to 83 dB for eight hours without incurring hearing loss. For every additional 3 dB one’s exposure time needs to be halved in order to be safe. Therefore, 86 dB is OK for four hours; 89 dB is OK for two hours; 92 dB is OK for one hour of exposure; 95 dB is safe for only ½ hour of exposure.
These finding are based on years of fine research by NIOSH scientists, and although they may seem conservative, they are recommended to preserve your hearing—a very precious commodity.
There is a very recent discovery about noise exposure that lends credence to the need to cautious about listening to sounds that are deemed too loud. It is called “synaptopathy”.
This refers to a degeneration of the connection between the inner ear’s cells and the hearing nerve that travels to the brain.
In brief, when after a too loud, festive occasion one’s hearing seems to return to normal, that connection (or synapse) between the ear’s cells and hearing nerve continues to deteriorate.
Therefore, after many such exposures, and over time, one’s ability to hear may well suffer a permanent loss.
The bottom line is that the music played at weddings, etc,. should be pleasantly loud, but certainly quieter than the levels I have personally measured at several affairs, that is 95 dB plus++. We all recognize that youngsters love those loud levels, but the dangers to our hearing I believe far outweigh any other considerations.
Such loud music is unenjoyable, too. I think the hosts and the bands should really think about this. I have lost hearing as a result. It is gnayva.
Like at simchas beis
The decibel is exaggeratedly loud
I couldn’t hear for a day bc of it
Literally everyone already knows this (besides for the ones on stage?)
Exactly. Tell the musicians that play at every wedding.
Some of the musicians are to blame. They are the ones who will not lower the music. I have asked them numerous times to lower the music, to no avail. For this reason, I only attend family weddings. I miss going to weddings, but my hearing is more important. Sad state of affairs.
use ear plugs
Those who say “Use ear plugs” are basically saying: I will purposefully do something that will damage the public, and if you don’t want to be damaged, than you need to take protective measures” That is extremely selfish and is equal to allowing drunk driving and telling the person who complains that if he has a problem, he should stay off the road!!
And it’s impossible to enjoy and have a conversation. Even during the dinner the music is blasting!! Its way too loud. Please turn it down.
I hate the loud music, I dont think it’s enjoyable. I have been to plenty of non frum weddings where the music is actually enjoyable. Nowadays if I have to go to a wedding I just wear ear plugs.
I’m a musician and whenever I attend a Crown Heights weddings I bring earplugs. The music is so loud it is absurd. But the bands only care about “getting the crowd going”, who cares if everyone suffers from ringing ears for the next two days
You can easily suffer permanent hearing loss and tinnitus for the rest of your life. You might think it’s funny when you’re young, but when you can’t hear properly later in life…..
Go zaidy!
Thank you Dr. Reiter! It is a complete and total CHUTZPAH to inflict pain and damage upon others just because some young kids decided that they can’t dance to music that’s lower than the decibal level of a lawnmower. If they want to blow their hearing, let them wear headphones and blast their own ears out, but to force others to have to deal with their craziness is outright chutzpah and unacceptable! The blasting music has to stop! Whose idea was it anyway…
It’s not only in CH. I’ve been to Lub weddings out of town where the baalei hasimcha flew in bands to play at their simcha and the loud music is just as AWFUL! The only way this harmful situation will change is if it hurts them (they protect their ears). I bring earplugs to weddings – but the music still causes an unpleasant atmosphere because people can’t hear each other talk. Time to go back to good old fashioned simcha music. At our wedding, Eli Lipsker, obm, played a variety of Jewish music at a nice decibel. Now, the bands… Read more »
I flew in to CH for 2 weddings one after another & ended up with tinnitus So now i live with constant ringing in my right ear ….. Not sure it was worth going……
P.S. I do love when soft nostalgic music is played during the meal So much classier!
I know few Chassunos where the baal hasimcha asked personally the band to lower the volume and they refused because they said it is going to take of their name.
Music should enchace an event, not overwhelm nor should it be damaging or uncomfortable for anyone. Be a mench and consider all atendees. Put into the contract: volume control, specific musical requests (and what music not wanted), instructions as to who can make requests of the musicians even if they offer a tip. Be a mench and consider all atendees. ALL vendors – caterers, photographers, florists, baby sitters, etc. should be given specific requirements, schedules, hours, overtime arraingements and contact person who can make changes or troubleshoot on the fly (this applies to both payee and vendor) in their contracts.… Read more »
BH
I kept on begging the musicians at my Own wedding to turn it down and they wouldn’t listen!
This is so important and really needs consideration. BH we have many babies and children at CH weddings. It is so harmful for anyone, especially little ones.
And I don’t enjoy shouting into the ears of the person next to me over dinner because the background music is no longer in the background. Weddings are not enjoyable for me anymore.
Trying to be sociable at simchas by staying in the hall throughout all simchas has cost me some permanent hearing loss.
With what’s left of my once extremely acute hearing, I now leave the simcha hall the moment the loud music begins – even leaving the building – til it returns to a tolerable level in order to preserve the hearing I do have left.
It’s MODERN to have telephone books with tiny print so you need a magnifying glass to read it. It’s MODERN for the band to play the music excessively loud. When you ask the band to play it lower, they can actually either – play it louder – or you might at least get their TYPICAL answer – “but the people LIKE it”. They probably believe what they are saying. But it’s only ARROGANCE not to listen when people say something and to deny the requests for lower, enjoyable music. Some band leaders are CONVINCED (so they say) that people enjoy… Read more »
Do we really need a Dr to tell us this… This is a issue going on for a while and no one listens to rabbonim on this issue. Really sad.
Musicians of crown heights please adhere to the healthy hearing levels.
Without pointing fingers, there are only a few musicians/singers that play in crown heights and they’re the ones that need to implement this
Thank you! This has been driving me nuts for years, every Simcha that should be enjoyable, weddings, bar mitzvahs, lag baomer parades, uncle Moishy concerts are so loud it is really hard to enjoy oneself. I flew in for a wedding and had to sit out for most of it. Some kids don’t seem to notice, but at events they were really looking forward to my kids want to leave, every single time, in tears. And earplugs are not always so helpful. Since when do we have to feel like we are in a club? There is a level of… Read more »
You know what to expect and that’s why you go. When it’s your grandson’s wedding, or you’re an INVITED GUEST, you should be able to expect to be comfortable, not assaulted by the music!!!
Going into CH weddings is so unenjoyable. I’d like to be able to socialize in the hall, not have to leave to talk to the person sitting next to me. I go to secular weddings as well, the music is no where near as loud.
Even going to frum kid events I’ve had to walk out because my kids could not handle how loud it was, it literally hurts.
Babies can wear headphones to protect their ears.
Maybe the agreement with the musician should include not playing the music too loud, they should agreed upon a contract and if they don’t listen they don’t get paid.
I’ve already stated my views about this on the COLLIVE FEED ON FB.
As a Retired RN, I’m more concerned about the Irresponsible Parents who bring their Infants & very young Children to these Simchas.
If the ears of Adults are sooo affected by the terrible loudness of the music, are these young parents so totally unaware of what DAMAGE they’re allowing their kinderlach to get by bringing them into the Ballrooms.
Please consider to rather Leave the Infants & Babies at home with a Babysitter; or better yet, let the mommies stay home.
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!
So we should let the musicians get their way with the over-loud music while the siblings of the choson/kallah should stay home with their babies?
Personally, I would really like to hire a musician who can guarantee that he will play at a safe decibel level. That would definitely be a plus.
All the musicians! Should be more considerate toward other people! Just because they are wearing earplugs, it doesn’t mean they should put the music louder! Thank you dr Reiter! This is truly a time to bring this up?
Thank you for this important article thay I hope encourages all of us to be more mindful and aware. In regards to musicians, from what I recall hearing many a time, the main musicians adhere to what the baal hasimcha requests. While on this article everyone agrees to the importance of the sound levels, it could be thay some are unaware of it affects. I dont think its fair to lay it out completely when the musicians themselves have said they do as the baal hasimcha requests. Make a search-you will see thay this has been said (and yes, from… Read more »
The Baal Simcha may well be the one requesting a loud simchadik wedding party.
The article is merely pointing out the potential dangers of listening to music of various loudness levels for a given lenth of time. The article is aimed at notifying the Baal Simcha, the Musician, or whom ever makes the decision re: music levels– what the consequences can be.
What and whoever makes the decision re: loudness, it should be made with the awareness of the dangers posed to the listeners at the simcha.
I heard (but I couldn’t believe it) that in Crown Heights Wedding Halls the ONLY ones that have control over the music are the Chosson and Kallah. That the musicians only have to listen to them and not to their parents nor to anyone else. Please tell me this is not true!