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I work in a bar, pub, club or music venue. What do I need to know?

If you work in a noisy bar, pub or club, it is likely that you are exposed to potentially damaging sound levels.

How does Noise at Work affect me?

Over-exposure to loud noise, including music, causes permanent hearing loss. If you work in a noisy pub, bar or club, it is highly likely that you are exposed to potentially damaging sound levels.

Have you ever experienced ringing in your ears, or poor hearing, after coming back from work? This is a warning sign that the noise levels were loud enough to damage your hearing. If you are exposed to these noise levels on a regular basis, you may well end up with a permanent hearing loss, or you may develop permanent tinnitus.

Even if you do not experience these symptoms, you could still be damaging your hearing. Noise induced hearing loss is usually painless and gradual, which means that you may not be aware of it until it is too late. Once it happens, it is permanent and cannot be cured. When you damage the hair cells in your ear, they die and cannot be repaired.

Hearing loss does not just affect musicians or DJs. It can affect anyone who works in a noisy environment, including bar staff, front-of-house staff and security staff.

Read stories of people who have damaged their hearing through loud music.

How do I know if I am at risk?

The Noise at work regs state that you are at risk if you are regularly exposed to sound levels above 80dB for more than a couple of hours a day. Sound levels in pubs and clubs tend to range between 90dB and 120dB.  That's why it is crucial that you and your employer take steps to protect your hearing.

If you are still unsure about whether you are at risk, try doing this simple listening test. When at work, talk to someone who is two metres away. If you have to raise your voice, then noise levels are probably over 85db. If noise is this high for at least a couple of hours every day, your hearing is at risk.

Know your rights: what should my employer be doing?

Under the Noise at work regs, your employer has a legal duty to do the following: 

  • Make an assessment of your level of risk of hearing damage. This will involve calculating how much noise you are exposed to at work, and for how long. This may involve using noise-measuring equipment.
  • Take action to reduce these risks. This may include moving speakers away from the bar, or changing some of your duties, so that you spend less time in noisy areas. 
  • If noise levels are really high, your boss may also ask you to wear earplugs. People often think that wearing earplugs ruins the music, or makes it hard to hear other people talking. This isn't true. Check out our "Earplug myth-buster" to find out the facts about earplugs.
  • Your boss should also provide you with regular hearing checks, and give you information about hearing loss and hearing protection.

What do I need to do?

  • Talk to your employer. Tell them that you want to look after your hearing, and ask them what they plan to do to enforce the new regs. 

Your employer can find out more through our Noise at Work explained leaflet or through the Sound Advice website from the Health and Safety Executive. They can also get advice from the environmental health department in their local authority.

  • Under the regs, you have a responsibility to follow your employers' advice and guidance on noise at work. You should make yourself available for hearing checks, and wear hearing protection if you are asked to do so.

Finally...

Start to think about your hearing a bit more. Be aware of warning signs, such as ringing in your ears or dull hearing. Think about all the things that you enjoy which depend on your hearing, like listening to music and talking to your friends.

If you still have concerns about your work environment, contact the environmental health department in your local council. Or send us an email at dontlosethemusic@rnid.org.uk for further advice.

RNID provides information, advice and support for anyone affected by hearing loss or tinnitus. Please visit the RNID website, or contact our information line on 0808 808 0123.