Advice RIVM Sound Musicactivities
In March 2018, the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and Environment) published an advisory report on the maximum sound level at music activities. The advice is the result of a research commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, and connects almost seamlessly with the core values of I Love My Ears.
The advice of RIVM specifies three limit values, depending on someone’s age. A limit of 91 decibels is recommended for children up to the age of 13, 96 decibels for children aged 14 and 15, and a limit of 102 decibels for people aged 16 and over. All values are averages, measured over 15 minutes. The RIVM also advises to inform concert visitors what they can do themselves to prevent hearing damage, for example by wearing hearing protection, choosing the right distance from the speakers and taking ‘ear breaks’ during a concert.
I Love My Ears has been committed since 2014 to a maximum value of 103 decibels (average per 15 minutes for adults) at concerts. The value from the advice therefore fits in very well. I Love My Ears is also working hard to raise awareness by visitors of what they can do themselves to prevent hearing damage. This can be done, for example, by wearing earplugs at a concert, choosing the right spot in a venue and giving your ears a rest during a concert.
The philosophy of I Love My Ears was already ‘common sense’, but is now also supported by an independent, scientific research. More information about RIVM’s advice can be found via the URL below. However, the report is not available in English.