In 2012, a professional musician rehearsing at a studio with a band had to sit directly in front of a loud speaker because of lack of space in the studios.
That particular day, the sound (noise) from the speakers was so loud, it exceeded 130 decibels which was the equivalent of a jet engine, the musician suffered something called acoustic shock (acoustic shock disorder, ASD or hyperacusis)! The injury was so bad, his hearing was impaired and he lost his career as a talented viola player!
What is acoustic shock?
Also called acoustic shock disorder, ASD or hyperacusis, acoustic shock is hearing loss that happens by exposure to a single extremely loud sound greater than 120 dB or by chronic exposure to sound at lesser intensities.
It can cause irreversible hearing loss.
You know what the musician did next?
He sued the owners of the studios for the noise pollution that caused his partial loss of hearing!
Today, a court delivered a landmark ruling in the case!
The musician won the case and a princely sum in compensation too!
This is a true life story!
The musician: Chris Goldscheider
The owner of the studios: the Royal Opera House (ROH).
The "country": United Kingdom
(Image credits: pixabay.com)
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