As part of Noise Action Week, City of Edinburgh Council staff will be helping people test the potential damage that their personal stereo might be having on their hearing at the St James Centre from 20 to 23 May 2008.
An interactive dummy head, with a noise meter and a hearing loss simulator attached, will be on display in the St James Centre all day during shopping hours from Tuesday until Friday. Members of the public are invited to drop in to the stand with their personal stereos for free advice and information on safe listening levels to protect their hearing.
Councillor Robert Aldridge, the city's Environment Leader, said: "We're highlighting personal stereos to help make people aware of the damage that can be caused to their hearing by loud noise. We're also keen on ensuring that there's a better awareness about domestic and industrial noise, partly from a health and safety point of view, but also because of our responsibilities on antisocial behaviour."
"We all have a responsibility to each other, whether as employers, neighbours or because we're sharing the same public space. Anyone who's concerned about noise should get in touch with us and we will try to help."
Noise levels
Relative decibel levels (dBA) of various sources of noise:
150 = balloon pop, gunshot, artillery fire
140 = aeroplane take-off, fireworks
130 = pneumatic drill, percussion section of orchestra, stock car racing
120 = thunder, loud stereo, nightclub, rock concert, emergency siren, chainsaw, hammer on nail
110 = football crowd, car horn, personal stereo, action film, baby crying, symphony concert
100 = exercise class, video arcade, electric drill, bass drum
90 = shouting, food processor, violin
85 = handsaw, heavy traffic
80 = ringing phone, vacuum cleaner, hairdyer, doorbell
70 = washing machine, dishwasher, television, alarm clock, piano practice
60 = normal conversation, sewing machine
50 = rainfall, busy office
40 = refrigerator, quiet living room, library
30 = bedroom at night
20 = broadcasting studio]
10 = breathing, leaves rustling
0 = threshold of hearing