What's the best way to reduce over-exposure to noise for musicians?

Take on a KTP project with London South Bank University (LSBU) and have one of our experts in Architectural Acoustics and Environmental Noise, design and develop products and techniques to decrease noise pollution.

This is exactly what Sound Research Laboratories (SRL) have done and are now one of the leading acoustic consultancies in the UK.

"Musicians have been over exposed to noise and little has been done to protect them," commented Georgia Zepidou. "In 2006, new noise regulations were introduced with reduced exposure limits for employees. In 2008 these legislative requirements were applied to the entertainment sector, so now musicians must be protected from noise," she added. SRL are now pursuing ways to protect musicians from noise through a KTP project with LSBU.

Although SRL are experts in noise control and architectural acoustics, they are new to health surveillance and musical acoustics. An integrated approach to providing a solution which allows young and professional musicians to practice whilst alleviating the health and safety issues is a key part of SRL's strategy. LSBU academics Professor Bridget Shield and Dr Stephen Dance are experts in the field of environmental acoustics and occupational health and safety. They are aware that the current options available to musicians are not practical as they interfere with their ability to perform, therefore a new approach must be initiated. The KTP will enable SRL to utilise and extend the knowledge, expertise and models developed within the University and use this knowledge to develop business opportunities opening up new markets.

The KTP is being split into 4 phases:

1. First educating the musicians. This is crucial to their health and safety.
2. Secondly, assessment of the musicians. An evaluation of the hearing loss already suffered to the musicians compared to what is expected normally.
3. Thirdly, monitoring of their noise exposure. Observing the rehearsal and practice time will enable the noise exposure to be calculated for each type of musician.
4. Fourthly, the development of mitigating solutions. Each type of music room in the Academy will be assessed for suitability.

The Royal Academy of music has agreed to be the testing ground for both the noise exposure measurements and for trialing the products and techniques developed during the project.

The success of this project will allow SRL to have a better understanding of the practical issues of noise exposure amongst classical musicians.