Kids (Very) Aloud
21 May 2008
Merstham kids club louder than a Jumbo Jet
UK – May 2008 A shouting contest, held by Merstham Beaver Cubs group, proved noisier than expected with one young member’s yell measuring louder than a jumbo jet.
The contest, organised by the club leaders to celebrate Noise Action Week (running 19th to 23rd May), took place at the Merstham Beaver’s ‘tin’ Nissan hut in Battlebridge Lane, Surrey. Using a sound level meter and microphone to record the results, the 24 Beavers took turns in making their loudest noise. Despite some ear splitting noises, they failed to tip the sound level meter until 7-year old Theo Harrison won the competition with his massive 137 decibels shout, which is 7 decibels higher than the threshold of pain and 17 decibels louder than the front row of a rock concert. A collective shout from all the other members couldn’t even beat Theo’s result.
“'The Beaver Hut was very reverberant and this coupled with very excited kids made for some very high and impressive measurements,” said John Gregory, a Technical Engineer from noise monitoring specialist Bruel & Kjaer UK, whom supplied the sound level meter. “When the kids were playing the game we got an LAmax of 105dBA, so I believe you could make a case for some sort of hearing protection for the Cubs leaders.”
“We’re well aware that noise inside the meeting hut is terrible and do our best to organise outdoor activities,” commented Beaver Cubs Leader, Jack Pease. “In space, no one can hear you scream’ is a very apt phrase. We often go home from a pack evening with a headache; an hour is about as much one can stand.”
After deafening themselves in the interest of science, the Beavers then learned how to communicate quietly – deaf signers from Merstham came in to demonstrate that not all communication need be loud. In stark contrast to the ear-splitting cacophony of the first part of the evening, the Beavers learned to ‘talk’ to each other in total silence. By the end of the evening they were able to tell each other their name, say hello and say how old they were.
Noise Action Week is held every year to highlight the dangers of excess noise. At best too much noise is annoying; at worst it can be a legal nuisance or even a health hazard. Recent studies have shown that 3% of heart attacks have been brought on by increased stress as a result of too much noise. In a number of high profile cases, neighbourhood disputes caused by noise nuisance have led to violence and even killings.
For more information visit: http://www.noiseactionweek.org.uk/
For more information about the Merstham Beaver Cubs, please contact group leader, Tictac (aka Jack Pease) on 01737 642283
For more information about Bruel & Kjaer UK click on the link below.
Other Press Releases By This Company
- 13/01/2014 - Theory into practice
- 13/01/2014 - Hearing loss hazard for call center workers
- 13/12/2013 - Double measures from Brüel & Kjær
- 13/12/2013 - Fine-tuning acoustic isolation in buildings
- 14/11/2013 - Winnipeg Airports Authority chooses NoiseDesk
- 08/11/2013 - Brüel & Kjær launches updated noise mapping software
- 04/11/2013 - Snecma boosts engine testing abilities
- 22/10/2013 - Danish construction project uses Noise Sentinel to take away the headache of noise monitoring
- 16/09/2013 - Better sound and vibration productivity with PULSE 18
- 09/07/2013 - Specific sound source analysis for the road ahead
- 18/06/2013 - New annual acoustic award scheme
- 11/06/2013 - DIY construction noise modelling software
- 11/06/2013 - Airbus acquires Brüel & Kjær ramp noise test system
- 18/11/2009 - Bruel & Kjaer UK launch 2010 course calendar
- 03/11/2009 - ESTECH marks twentieth year with new Acoustic Testing Site
- 27/10/2009 - Volker Fitzpatrick on the right track
- 26/10/2009 - Stock up with Brüel & Kjærs' stock clearance
- 26/10/2009 - Quick Click Quotes
- 23/10/2009 - Brüel & Kjær launches light-weight power amplifier
- 08/09/2009 - New Random Vibration Control software release from Brüel & Kjær
- 08/09/2009 - Brüel & Kjær launch new room modelling software
- 02/09/2009 - School’s In with Bruel & Kjaer UK
- 11/08/2009 - INTA approve PULSE for Aircraft Noise Certification
- 06/08/2009 - Miniature, multi-functional Air Data Probes for UAVs and Light Aircraft
- 09/07/2009 - Send and Seek Service
- 02/06/2009 - Revolutionary Reflex
- 07/05/2009 - New Look for Bruel & Kjaer Website
- 01/05/2009 - Visit Brüel & Kjær at AES Show
- 16/04/2009 - Robust, Reliable and Remote
- 16/03/2009 - Students Help Eliminate Noise Disturbance
- 12/02/2009 - Taking the Mic...
- 17/12/2008 - LDS Test and Measurement joins Brüel & Kjær
- 19/11/2008 - Sound and the City
- 06/11/2008 - Point and Click with PULSE 13
- 13/08/2008 - Meet and Greet with Bruel & Kjaer UK
- 19/06/2008 - Sound Monitoring Software Can be Left Unattended
- 03/06/2008 - Bruel & Kjaer Supports ISVR Advanced Acoustic Training
- 09/05/2008 - Safety first with Bruel & Kjaer
- 22/04/2008 - Instant sound insulation feedback from Bruel & Kjaer
- 17/04/2008 - Tools for the trade
- 31/03/2008 - Get the complete picture
- 10/03/2008 - Meet the Bruel & Kjaer UK Team this spring
- 12/02/2008 - It’s in the bag
- 26/11/2007 - Bruel & Kjaer enhance electroacoustics with pulse 12
