Nightclubs can be very loud. Music playback volume is difficult to control and often varies with the artist. Luckily, there are limits to the maximum volume that nightclubs can play, according to David Lefcort, an audio engineer and former intern at Pitchfork. Although the maximum volume in a nightclub is not legal, the clubs set it to the threshold that they consider dangerous. The reason for this may be related to the size of the room and how it reacts to sound.
Noise is a contributing factor to heart disease
Exposure to traffic noise has been linked to a greater risk of heart disease, but the evidence is still a little mixed. However, new research is providing additional clues. It shows that a five-decibel increase in the average 24-hour noise level was associated with an increased risk of heart attacks.
The effects of noise on the cardiovascular system include increased blood pressure, an increase in lipids and blood sugar, and increased cardiac output. Furthermore, noise causes activation of blood clotting and activates the inflammatory response system, all of which can have negative effects on the heart.
Recent epidemiological studies have identified noise as a major contributor to cardiovascular disease. Studies have also linked noise to an increased risk of stroke and coronary heart disease. This is because noise causes cardiovascular problems and may be an acute trigger for these illnesses.
Stroke
The volume of music in a nightclub varies according to the artist. Many clubs put up speakers on the sides of their buildings, which allows passersby to hear the music. The music volume is also controlled by the Department of Public Works, which patrols the strip with a sound meter. Clubs are fined if they exceed the legal threshold, but clubs aren’t always required to comply. Typically, a nightclub’s volume will fall between 100dB and 110dB. But sometimes, when the club is hosting an event, such as a rock concert or comedy club, it is allowed to play twice as loud.
Although noise levels in nightclubs are not always dangerous, they can affect the health of clubbers. It can damage the auditory system and negatively affect physical and mental wellbeing. Some nightclubs also have chillout rooms where people can get a break. However, only three of the clubs that we visited did this. We also found that the noise levels in these chillout areas were above 80dB(A), which is far above the legal limit for work environments.
Tinnitus
Nightclubs can be very loud, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Increased volume can make something exciting. Low background noises can become boring and uninteresting. The S-R system in the nervous system helps regulate volume. Music at a high volume stimulates this system, which is also responsible for creating an aroused state. Those in the aroused state are primed for excitement and are more likely to return to the club.
Whether the music is live or recorded, nightclubs tend to be loud. Some clubs have chillout rooms, where people can take a break from the loud music. However, we found that three nightclubs did not provide these areas or closed them on the night of the survey. And in those that did, the noise levels were still high: an average of twelve decibels, a louder volume than the workplace’s noise limit of 80dB(A).
