Thousands of people across Australia work in nightclubs. Nightclub work is vibrant, fast-paced and sociable, but people looking for a fun way to earn some extra cash may also worry that the working environment is bad news for their ears. Find out how loud music affects people who work in nightclubs, and learn more about the health problems this type of work can cause.
The dangers of nightclub work
As sound systems become more powerful, nightclubs can offer increasingly loud music to party goers. Electronic dance music (EDM) attracts thousands of ravers across Australia, but the pulsing beats and sounds that come with the music people love so much can take their toll on anyone who has to constantly contend with the noise.
Several factors can influence the potential damage that music can cause. These include:
- The volume of the music.
- The amount of time you spend listening to the music.
- Your personal susceptibility to the sound.
Unfortunately, nightclub workers are often in the highest risk category of all three of these contributory factors.
Defining a dangerous volume
Experts say that noise at or above 85 decibels could potentially damage your hearing. An aeroplane taking off can reach 120 decibels, while a pneumatic drill can get up to 100 decibels. Nonetheless, some nightclub sound systems can reach a volume of 110 decibels or louder.
Of course, the volume of music playing in a nightclub will vary from one venue to another and even on different nights, but clubs that specialise in EDM are likely to constantly hit this level. People in the club may find that their ears hurt after a relatively short period, so it's easy to imagine how the workers could suffer. To make matters worse, the risk of damage can increase because people have to shout to hear one another in the venue.
What's more, dangerous music becomes even more harmful if you listen to it for extended periods. Experts estimate that you can only safely listen to loud music in a nightclub for 10 to 15 minutes, so imagine the effect a three or hour-hour shift could have on your hearing.
The damage loud music can do
Ongoing exposure to loud music can have immediate and long-term effects. After a relatively short period, you may experience temporary ringing in your ears. While this will normally go away after a day or so, constant exposure to dangerous music can lead to tinnitus.
Tinnitus due to loud music occurs when you suffer damage to the tiny sensory cells within the inner ear. This damage interferes with the electrical signals the brain receives and recognises as sound. Research suggests that the neurons in the brain become more sensitive, which causes hyperactivity. Most people with tinnitus experience ongoing ringing in their ears, which can affect their quality of life.
Tinnitus isn't the only possible side effect. Exposure to loud music can gradually cause permanent hearing loss. Loud music can also accelerate hearing loss that you may have for other reasons.
Steps you can take
Loud music is an intrinsic part of the experience nightclub owners offer their customers, but Australian employers must still take steps to protect their workers. Venue owners should take steps to minimise the risk of hearing damage for their staff members. Steps can include:
- Changes to the venue layout and acoustics to protect employees. For example, the owner can locate the bar area near a lounge that is away from the main loudspeakers.
- Shift patterns and rotating roles that mean employees take regular breaks away the loudest areas.
- Provision of ear plugs or other devices that can protect your ears from the loud sound.
Some manufacturers design and install customised earplugs that can protect your hearing. For example, DJs and musicians must often spend long periods working in loud music. Special devices can screen out the most damaging sound, without hampering the owner's ability to hear other things. Your employer may not have the budget to offer you these custom-built devices, but if you intend to work in this industry, you may decide to make the investment yourself.
Loud music in a nightclub can pose a serious risk to the health of people working in the venue. Talk to your manager about the steps he or she can take, and carefully consider how you can protect your hearing at work.
For more information, contact a company like Bloom Hearing.
