Proposed Seattle earplug law draws mixed reactions

Authored by Daniel Fink, MD, Chair, The Quiet Coalition

Cascade PBS reports that a proposed Seattle earplug law has drawn mixed reactions. The Cascade headline reports that “tone deaf” Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss proposed a law requiring venues with loud music to provide earplugs to concertgoers for under $1. He attends concerts and uses earplugs, but sometimes forgets to bring them. He thinks his proposed bill would help people protect their hearing. A city policy analysis revealed a lack of awareness about the risks of hearing loss, especially in younger individuals.

Photo credit:  Mae Gregorio

City staff reported that only two other American cities, San Francisco and Minneapolis, have similar earplug laws. The Cascade article noted that many concertgoers already have and wear earplugs.

Staff also reported that some European countries have regulations limiting decibel levels. Yes, that’s absolutely correct. A summary of Swiss laws, for example, listed decibel levels, requirements for warning signs and a requirement that earplugs be available at no cost. That sounds (pun intended) like a better idea to me.