Music—A Noise Hazard?

Abstract

Measurements of “music noise” spectra in various youth centres show great variations in levels in rooms with different acoustic properties. The noise spectra from different orchestras are, however, remarkably equal. The high level and the narrow dynamic range, together with the likelihood of being very close to the loudspeakers give reason to believe that the criterion of damage risk is surpassed by listeners and musicians rather frequently. Actual hearing measurements seem to confirm this suspicion.