Noise In The News: Weekly Round-Up

by Quiet Communities Staff

Photo credit: Andrea Piacquadio

Longstanding music event halted due to noise ordinance enforcement

Noise ordinances are typically designed to protect public health, but in La Conner, Washington, an overly strict interpretation has unintentionally sidelined a beloved community tradition. The town’s annual nonprofit-run music series, La Conner Live, was told it must keep performances under 55 dBA — quieter than an average conversation and far below the 110 dBA typical of live music. And while concerts exceed that threshold, the practical solution isn’t to eliminate music but to provide and promote hearing protection so residents can enjoy cultural events without risking their hearing. The town council is now reconsidering the restriction after significant community pushback, and residents are hoping the summer music season can still be saved.

A mother’s choice to reconnect through hearing aids

In a moving Mother’s Day reflection, audiologist Nicole Caltagirone describes the moment her mother finally decided to treat her long‑ignored hearing loss: when she realized she could no longer hear her young granddaughter’s voice. The story is heartwarming, but also telling of the widespread stigma barring many from life-changing care. Her mother delayed treatment for years due to stigma around hearing aids, and the belief that her hearing “wasn’t that bad.” But once she began using them, they quickly became essential to her daily life. It’s a powerful reminder of what’s at stake when hearing loss goes untreated: not just noise, but connection.