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THE British Tinnitus Association (BTA) is commending the start of a new Noise at Work Regulation for those working in the music and entertainment industry.

On Sunday, the regulation came into force, protecting staff from excessive exposure to noise in environments such as nightclubs, pubs and bars where live and recorded music is played.

The level at which employers must provide hearing protection zones is now 85 decibels (daily or weekly average exposure) and the level at which employers must assess the risk to workers' health and provide them with information and training is now 80 decibels.

There is also an exposure limit value of 87 decibels, taking account of any reduction in exposure provided by hearing protection, above which workers must not be exposed.

A DJ, JFK, first started DJing almost 20 years ago and has been voted in the world's top 150 DJs for five years running and suffers from tinnitus. He said: "I suffer from tinnitus and I believe my problems started the moment that I began to put excess noise into my ear.

"My condition has had a huge effect on my life and I wish I had been aware of the importance of protecting yourself from exposure to loud noise when I first started DJing.

"I fully understand the need for the new rule and I hope that it will help to protect the millions of people who work in the music and entertainment industry and enjoy clubbing and attending live gigs."

Tinnitus is often described as a persistent "ringing in the ears" and is one of the most common health problems facing the UK today, affecting almost five million people in the UK - a staggering 10 per cent of the adult population .

Martin Wass, director of the BTA said: "Over the years, many people who have come to us for help with their condition believe that listening to loud music has resulted in tinnitus.

"The condition can be debilitating and can cause great distress to sufferers and their families. Anyone who wants to learn more about protecting their ears or how to cope with tinnitus is welcome to call us for advice."

For advice, support and information about tinnitus, call the BTA freephone helpline on 0800 018 0527 or visit the BTA online, at www.tinnitus.org.uk.

The BTA was set up as an independent charity in 1991 and now supports thousands of tinnitus suffers and advises medical professionals from across the world.

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (the Noise Regulations) came into force for all industry sectors in Great Britain on April 6, 2006 (except for the music and entertainment sectors, which come into force on April 6, 2008).

The aim of the Noise Regulations is to ensure that workers' hearing is protected from excessive noise at their place of work, which could cause them to lose their hearing and/or to suffer from tinnitus (permanent ringing in the ears).

For further information on Noise Regulations visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/.

8:56am Tuesday 8th April 2008

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