Can You Hear Me Now?
Can You Hear Me Now?
After experiencing the effects of loud music numerous times throughout my salsa & social life I decided to research the subject. When the music or vocals from DJs or bands is so loud that my ears hurt & my bones ache, the earplugs go in, I may politely ask the volume to be lowered when convenient (I thank all who have been kind enough to crank it down a notch or two), or leave the venue. A good (much younger-my daughter’s & son’s ages) friend responded, “We’re just getting older”, when I questioned, “Is it just me, or did the music get louder?” I smiled. At any rate, I found out some interesting & thought provoking facts during web surfing.
Eureka! There are studies available. Did you know over time it actually damages the ear hairs. http://www.abelard.org/hear/hear.php#loud-music . Hmmm, Could this be another reason why scalp balding and ear hair increases with age in some men & women? That doesn’t explain why some babies are born hairless or with an abundance of body hair now does it? Seriously, gender differences in relation to hearing loss are well documented. One reference is sited here (Sorry gents. Hmmm, I don’t recall any of my male relatives needing hearing aids like my female relatives. Does that mean they lived more on the less wild side or tuned things out better?):
Surprisingly (or not) amplified loud music can damage hearing from exposures of 4 to 30 min. daily. A comparison chart @ http://www.abelard.org/hear/hear.php#bands is quite an “ear opener”! Ouch, bald ears…are they in vogue?
Why does the music seem to get louder in bars & clubs as the night progresses? Why do we like loud music at times? There may be several reasons such as the pleasures derived that increase appetite & thirst, euphoria, & sexual desire. “ Music makes me forget my real situation. It transports me into a state which is not my own. Under the influence of music I really seem to feel what I do not understand, to have powers which I cannot have.” Leo Tolstoy, 1890. Even back then we were influeced by loud music. Here is an interesting article that states bars & clubs turn the volume up to minimize talking & increase alcohol intake: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080718180723.htm . Does that mean they prefer “deaf drunks” to “sober salseras”? Probably, since it is better for business. However, watch out if you are combining loud music & the drug, Ecstasy; it adversely enhances the drug’s effects.
What about the effects of loud music on the environment? Check out a debate and decide the pros and cons for yourself at http://www.helium.com/debates/116333/side_by_side . I know my cats give me “the look” and “scold” me, & birds get louder if I inadvertently play my music too loud.
What does this all mean? What is my point? I guess I am trying to be kinder to my mind, body, & environment as the years go on. I'd prefer to not follow in my Mom's & Grandma's footsteps & get hearing aids to use only when absolutely necessary. The choices are ours. Hope you don’t turn a “deaf ear” to what I have to say. See you on the Salsa scene, maybe chat, snack, or share a cool beverage. I’ll say, “Huh, what did you say?” or lean in to better hear you, my dear. Kind of puts a new spin on the phrase, “Can you hear me now?”
Sharon
I hear ya!
Sound level is a really important aspect of enjoying the music and the club. When its too loud it really dampens the social aspect of hanging out since it becomes pointless to talk -- you end up yelling out some key words and nodding as if you understood the person next to you.
Then throw on top of it having ringing ears for hours...
Maybe the DJs have no idea, but to me a good volume also allows you to talk in a group and a bad volume is when you can only hear someone talking directly in your ear.
Geo-