Concert turns down the tunes and promotes safe listening

Have you ever left a show with ringing in your ears, or spent the entire night screaming “what?” to your friends? If so, you’ve experienced decibel levels that can be irreversibly damaging to your ears. On May 17, Evergreen Speech & Hearing Clinic will host a concert that is not only fun, but also safe, at the Kirkland Teen Union Building. Doors open at 7:30 p.m, $8 at the door.

The night will bring artists Portugal The Man, Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground, and Man Down Medic to a “turned down” venue. “On average a concert reaches 110-130 decibels,” says Doctor of Audiology Tom Norwood. “At this level you might as well be blasting the tunes of a chain saw or small firecrackers into your ear.”

At the “Turn It Down: an EAR-responsible Concert,” the sound level will be kept at 100 decibels or lower. Concert attendees will also be given earplugs at the door that will reduce the sound level by 20 dB, allowing attendees to safely listen to the concert for the entire duration of the show.

Also available at the show will be custom molded earplugs at cost for those who regularly attend concerts, and for musicians looking to increase their hearing protections. Impressions will be taken at the venue. For those who want to try their luck, there will be raffles for custom molded products such as in-ear monitors, earplugs, and earbuds. All proceeds from the door and raffles will go toward the purchase of a limiter and new sound equipment for the Kirkland Teen Union Building venue, allowing for safer listening concerts.

Visit www.everhear.com/bhsm to learn more.