§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what are the highest levels of sound which have been recorded at rock concerts or other events of amplified musical entertainment by public health authorities;
(2) if he has ascertained the maximum level of sound which can be produced by amplification equipment in current use for events of musical entertainment; and if such a level exceeds that at which physically harmful effects may arise;
(3) what advice his Department has offered in regard to harmful sound levels either generally or to those responsible for events of amplified musical entertainment;
(4) what level of sound is regarded as injurious to hearing; what level of sound is regarded as likely to cause bodily vibrations; and if public health authorities are aware of these estimates.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe level of sound which is likely to be injurious to hearing 907W or otherwise physically harmful varies, of course, with the length of time people are exposed to it. The appropriate public health authorities are fully aware of the risks so far as these are known.
Evidence of the effect of noise produced by discotheques and other similar places of entertainment is somewhat inconclusive but there are reasons to believe that prolonged listening to loud music may involve a small but definite risk to hearing.
The Department is accordingly financing on behalf of the Noise Advisory Council a two-year survey of noise levels and attendance patterns at such places to determine whether regular attendance at them is likely to result in permanent hearing damage.