"Check Please!" - Check the Noise Level, That Is!
FARMINGTON HILLS, MI – July 31, 2023 – Have you ever thought about how noise levels affect our hearing and communication in environments we frequent like restaurants and theaters? If you’ve ever experienced a steep communication challenge where loud noise levels prevented the ability to converse during a casual outing, you are not alone. Plus, if you already live with hearing loss, meaningful conversations in settings like loud restaurants can become nearly impossible. Tools and strategies are available to help you determine if an establishment has unsafe noise levels, protect your hearing in such settings, and discover what you can do to improve your communications in those circumstances. The International Hearing Society (IHS) encourages all individuals to have their hearing tested by a licensed hearing aid specialist, from whom they can also learn strategies for success in difficult listening environments. Further, new research, mobile apps, and other resources are available to help you plan for sound-safe dining experiences and protect your hearing.
Mobile AppsThere are mobile apps available for downloading on your phone to help you measure sound levels. One such app, Decibel Pro, enables you to measure noise levels in a room. Another product is SoundPrint, a crowd-sourcing mobile app that measures noise levels at restaurants and other establishments around the world. After you measure the volume of a room, you can share that data and give opinions and other sound-related information on the venue. That information is curated and SoundPrint maintains an online directory where users can search for quiet venues, based on the crowd-sharing information.
Quietest Restaurant Chains SoundPrint recently released data analysis of the quietest and loudest restaurant chains in North America*. Panera and IHOP chains were shown to be quieter restaurants across the board. Other details released include a comparison median sound levels of breakfast chains and median sound levels by time of day at the quietest Casual Restaurant Chains. You can find their latest research results at https://blog.soundprint.co/category/data-analysis/.
“I want to remind individuals to have their hearing tested on an annual basis, just as they would their eyes, teeth, and other physical checkups. Communication with one’s loved ones, employers, and caretakers, enables people to Stay Connected With Life, and hearing aid specialists provide individuals that ability on a daily basis. Find a hearing aid specialist near you to determine whether you have hearing loss or hearing aids may be helpful by visiting www.ihsinfo.org.”
Additional Resources IHS is a proud member of the World Hearing Forum, which is promoting, among other things, safe listening through its safe listening initiative and work with international standard development organizations to establish and promote safe listening on smartphones and in public venues. Learn more about safe listening standards here: https://www.who.int/activities/making-listening-safe. Tips on how to better communicate in noisy settings are also available from the Hearing Loss Association of America: https://www.hearingloss.org/wp-content/uploads/TipCards.pdf?pdf=Tipcards. However, the best source of enhanced hearing information can be found by visiting a licensed hearing healthcare professional. If you are in need of a local qualified hearing aid specialist or hearing instrument practitioner, visit the IHS member directory.
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Media Contact:
Sandra den Boer
Editorial, PR, and Sales Director
International Hearing Society
P: 734-522-7200, ext. 114
E: sdenboer@ihsinfo.org