Hearing Health Summer 2015 Issue Summer 2015 | Page 12

hearing health

environment will require the passage of new laws. (It is not
clear that existing noise ordinances apply only to outdoor
noise sources, but this is the widely held interpretation
of these laws.) Become active in your local government,
learn how things are done in your community, build
relationships with other activists, and make efforts to get
local laws passed requiring a quiet indoor environment.

Game-Changing Technology

The “game changer” in the quiet environment
movement is smartphone technology with accurate sound
level meter apps. With these apps (which include GPS
locations and time stamps), you can show a restaurant
manager the average and peak noise levels rather than just
complaining, “It’s too loud in here!” For reference, carry a
copy of a decibel chart (at hhf.org/safe-and-sound).
The sound meter apps also allow you to report to the
local police or authorities empowered to enforce local
ordinances the specifics about decibel levels and addresses.
With these apps, the noise isn’t just one person’s complaint.
It’s a documented, accurate, scientific measurement that
is harder to ignore. (See “The Best Apps for Measuring
Decibels,” opposite page, top.)
Don’t be shy about politely asking proprietors of stores,
restaurants, and gyms to turn down the music levels.
They might be surprised by how many people prefer the
quieter option. “Quiet cars” are popular on Amtrak trains
and local public transportation systems.
John Drinkwater of SecondhandSound.org persuaded
his health club, Kennedy Fitness, with five locations in
California, to start a “quiet yoga” class, and in what may
be a first, he had special ADA seating provided at the
outdoor jazz festival in San Luis Obispo, California. You
can do the same. Ask that public address system volumes
in arenas and stadiums be turned down. Ask that the
volume in movie theaters be lowered. In the meantime,
bring your own earplugs.
We asked the Acoustical Society of America (ASA), the
professional society for acoustic engineers, to develop
acoustic standards or guidelines for noise control in more
places of public accommodation, just as it has for schools
(ANSI/ASA Standard S12.60). The ASA Standards
Committee referred our request to its Panel on Public
Policy to be considered at the ASA’s November meeting.
Implementation of the new standards should be required
by building codes, starting