Sound and noise exposure dosimetry at large-scale music events and festivals

Abstract

Regulations governing sound exposure at amplified-music events aim to protect the audience from hearing damage. However, current level monitoring practices often rely on a single measurement position that is considered representative of individual exposure, overlooking crucial variation. This study addresses this lacking insight by analyzing individual dosimeter-based sound-level exposure at music events and its relation to existing guidelines. Dosimeters secured to 42 individual participants (19 females, aged 18–25) recorded octave bands and A/C-weighted sound levels at six large-scale music events (+20.000 visitors). Individual exposure durations varied between 4.4 and 22 hours. Comparisons of exposure were made against local, German and WHO regulations. At four out of six events, individual doses surpassed the WHO’s 100 dBA recommendation, with most subjects also exceeding the ISO1999 occupational limit and the WHO’s 100 dBA-for-4-hours threshold (16Pa2h). Equivalent exposures ranged between [85.2,104.5] dBA (LA,eq) and [97.1,119.6] dBC (LC,eq) among participants. Additionally, LC,peak values fluctuated between [133.6,143.5] dBC. These findings highlight a discrepancy between the fixed-location noise exposure monitoring, as per country-specific legislation, and the actual individual exposure experienced by event attendees. Our results can inspire safe-listening guidelines for such music events, or help in deciding which single position measure is most representative. Work supported by UGent BOF-IOP EarDiMon and dBControl