Hearing Protection Legislation for Nightclubs Mooted.

The Federal government is considering legislation to protect the hearing of patrons attending nightclubs where the noise exceeds safe limits. It is suggested that compulsory provision by the nightclub to patrons of hearing protection where noise hazards exist may be a way forward. This does not necessarily protect anyone as there is no compulsion to wear the protection, but at least it is a start. The early industrial hearing protection programs were initially low key and eventually matured to a universal acceptance. It could all be short circuited of course by ensuring that nightclubs were legally liable for noise injuries inflicted upon their patrons and employees or a prohibition on exceeding damaging levels based say on an average 4 hour exposure. This would limit output to around 90 decibels.