Nightclub and pub music is now so loud in this country that it represents a very serious threat to people's hearing. Numerous grave warnings have been issued by the medical profession, but these have been completely ignored. Door and floor security personnel pop plugs in their ears to protect their hearing. Patrons of these super-loud establishments are not able to order drinks, or even communicate.

Volume levels are so loud they exceed 120dB, which is almost equivalent to the sound of a jackhammer or jet engine. This volume level is where very serious damage is done to our hearing. Normal conversation is carried out at approximately 60 dB. There is acceptance that from 85 dB onwards one enters the danger zone. It should be added that hearing loss can occur below this level if the noise is sustained for long enough periods.

Many people have no hearing at all after coming out of a nightclub or a pub, where the music is bursting the speakers from which it is played. The music is so loud it actually causes distortion and all that remains of the so-called music is a loud thump.

There has been a noticeable trend in nightclubs and some pubs increasing volume levels in order to compensate for the low-quality music that is played. This poses a very serious risk to clientele, and a litigious risk to the establishements themselves.

Owners of these places should be aware that extremely loud music is one of the main reasons why older and deafer people are becoming more difficult to attract.

Maurice Fitzgerald,

Shanbally,

Co Cork