Keep It Down!

If enough people complain about the noise level and leave the room when the music gets too loud the band will have no choice but to reduce the volume. I have hearing loss from when I was in the Armed Forces. I have noticed in recent years my hearing is getting worse as a result of the loud weddings we have been to. When our daughter got married I told the band as a condition of the contract that they were to have NO amplifiers. When the day of the wedding arrived there were one or two instruments which made sounds only through amplifiers so I told them to turn the volume down as far as possible. We could actually hear each other talk at a regular voice level even on the dance floor right in front of the band. Many of our guests has favorable comments as a result of our volume restrictions and enjoyed themselves much more than if the sound level had been higher. I commend the lawmakers in Israel for their attention to guests needs, health and welfare. I have recently gotten to leaving a function when the band starts playing and find there are numbers of people out in the hallway already when I get out there.

Yeah!!! We can all only hope this wonderful, and seemingly simple and effective method adopted in Israel will be copied here. Rabbi Forsythe ran a number of articles a few years back in the JEWISH PRESS on this topic, covering the most amazing number of violations that occur from these too-loud bands at simchas (under the guise of simcha). It was nice to see your picture, Rabbi Salamon, after reading your warm, insightful and wise articles on the Aish emails.

Even if it's not a popular point of view I still want to share it:
1. Music is never too loud when you are young (we did the same thing to our parents, why do we want our children to be different).
2. There is time to talk (during meals band takes breaks), and time to dance (there is no music that everyone would love, so just play along)
3. People who are so outraged about the music should explain to me how woman singing is the same as undressing.
4. Enjoy the life, things are very loud in NY anyway (I visited it couple of month ago, it was hard to fall asleep).

I have been saying that noise is a problem at simchas for years, and I think that it an issur d'oraisa of sakanas ever. Limiting noise levels to 85dB after 10 minutes is only a start. Levels of 110 dB causes hearing loss in only 1-2 minutes of exposure. Levels must be kept below 80 dB at all times!!!!!

The noise level has become a DANGER! People need to take breaks from the music because prolonged exposure is dangerous, uncomfortable and turns a beautiful simcha into , G-d forbid, the opposite.

KOL HAKAVOD to the Rabbi for raising the issue.

Having worked for a hearing aid dispenser for 2 years I can confirm that many young people are suffering hearing loss and admit it is due to loud music at functions. I believe the system of the red light and 10 seconds is excellent, however, I feel that Weddings Hosts should take more responsibility and plan when the music is played and not played. They could have a card on each table stating the times when the wedding will be music free. That way guests would have plenty conversation time uninterupted. It's all down to planning and the Hosts are responsible.

I saw an article from Arutz Sheva back in October highlighting Israel's response to the loud music. Where can I read more about what Israel did in order to curb this dangerous problem?

Couldn't agree more
Increase quality, not volume !!

I, too, wear earplugs at weddings. The music is intolerably loud. However, when hiring a band for my son's wedding, the chatan, the Kallah, her mother and I all insisted that the band not play too loud. That's all it took. Everyone commented on how wonderful they played (even though at other weddings, they complained about the same band). It is a terrible and dangerous custom to play as loud as they do. At a recent family wedding, we had to take the grandchildren out of the hall when the band played.

It has been impossible of late to enjoy the wonderful bands and the great music at simchas because the noise level is so "over-the-top" that one cannot even hear the music itself; all one hears is the electronic noise. I applaud the State of Israel and hope that a similar measure is adopted in the USA (perhaps by the simcha industry itself), not only to preserve our hearing, which is important, but also to allow us really to hear the musicality of the tunes played, and the skill of the band members. Thanks for commenting on this!

As I live in Israel I have yet to go to a wedding where the music isn't too loud. I'm not sure the level has gone down in too many halls yet.

I couldn't agree more. We have the same problem in Australia. I too take earplugs to weddings!
Dr Michael Bergman

Yes, yes, YES! For years now we have been using sponge earplugs at these affairs, to the patronizing amusement of the young. The downside, of course, is that conversation becomes even more difficult. A more extreme solution is to leave the table and go out to the hallway; many of us do, and distinguish ourselves from the animals by speech, quiet, friendly speech.

We bring ear plugs for our baby's ears to protect him from the loud music when we go to weddings (and concerts). This is a serious issue that must be addressed. Baalei Simcha have complained that despite their asking the band they've hired to tone down the music noise level, the band ignores their request. The band thinks "Louder means better."

Thank you for addressing a serious issue that people have been complaining about for a long time but the bands aren't listening!! Can you suggest ways to implement this great idea??

So right, but its not just weddings, its many celebratory events such as birthdays and anniversaries. In addittion there are many fitness classes, especially indoor bycycling classes where more often than not the music is played at deafening levels. On one thing you are wrong: earplugs are not enough for anyone who has maintained his hearing. Music levels are so loud that they remain unhealthy even with their use.
I am not a believer in the "nanny state" but i think this is a possible area for state intervention. After all, people should not be forced to choose between honoring their neighbors and keeping healthy as against giving up their hearing.

When we blast music so loud that it hurts our ears, we are simply copying rock 'n roll. Can't we think Jewishly?

I am glad this problem is being addressed. I have two fears. One when my son began roaring around on a motorbike (he's since stopped), and two whenever my kids go anywhere with music.

Bands are providing entertainment, and like anyone else in the entertainment biz, you gotta please the crowd. If the crowd complains too much, then the band isnt entertaining, and will make changes as needed. we don't need meters and rules and measuring tape to make sure people are happy, just some common sense.
At the same time, the mitzvah of being Misameach Chosson v'Kallah is the reason there's music at the wedding - it's for us to dance to. If you're busy trying to carry on a conversation during the dancing, that means you're probably not dancing. Talk during the soup. When the band strikes up, get off your tush and get out on the dance floor.

I have better solutions. I and my wife leave the room or leave the building. We have found the noise levels oppressive and intolerable,

I fully agree, band noise has spoiled many a simcha for us and threatens to harm hearing. How can we help to get legislation passed in the US??? Please advise. That is excellent idea!!

I absolutely agree with you. I like music too but I often worry about my ears... You can lose your hearing so quickly and once it has happened you can hardly restore it.
This is really a serious problem and something to think about!

If they can do it in Israel - we can do it in NYC. If you really want to do something about it - send an e-mail to your city council member. I just did. The location for contacting all city council members can be found at www.nyccouncil.info/constituent/contact_member.cfm
If enough people write - maybe something will develop.

The loud music makes me so uncomfortable I sometimes have to leave wedding parties! This just adds ANOTHER reason for me to live in Israel!

YES!! The music is too loud-thanks for publicizing this fact. It disrupts conversation. Also, people leave earlier or step out of the room to get a "noise break"-people leaving take away from the joy of the event.

I have a business and play at weddings/private engagements. My rule is this: If one person complains about the noise level I turn it down. There is the other end of the spectrum. the individual that wants it no louder than a whisper so that you cannot even hear the music at all. Yes, this person definately needs to bring earplugs. I wonder why I am hired at this point. Thiugh I agree on not damaging ears. Thanks for letting me post my comment.

The bands have been getting louder and louder and we see more and more people looking for places to escape the noise! They bands needs to understand it isn't necessary to be LOUDER to be leibidik, that comes when the people are happy to be there.

Dear Rabbi Solomom, I agree that the music is much too loud at weddings. However a decibel meter is not the answer in my opinion. The reason for the very loud music is that rock and roll, rap and disco are the type of dancing music that the younger generation requests. This type of music is always bombastic in nature. Unfortunately, this is the music that people in their 20's 30's and 40's are accustomed to hearing and dancing to. If possible, you can submit your request for lowering the volume at the wedding itself to the band and to your hosts. Perhaps this may help. Sincerely, Judith Levy

At last, someone has common sense & thought for other people.

Especially the part about the babies. Unfortunately, I cannot imagine a similar law being passed in the US. Rather, it will take a law suit - perhaps a class action - against bands or catering halls from people who have been affected. I've gotten headaches that lasted through the next day after some simchas.
And truly, what is the point? No one is enjoying it. No one. But it is so widespread that it has become par for the course!
It has just reached ridiculous proportions.
I say to the masses, when hiring a band, make payment contingent on their keeping the decible down, and include in the contract a clause that they must lower the decible on request at the simcha. Otherwise, they forfeit their fee!

I bring earplugs to simchas. When the music starts, I put them in. I offer earplugs to others as well. I don't go to a simcha without them. I want to keep my hearing.

Brilliant !

OMG! Talk about nightclubs and bars!

I hate it when I go to a simcha and I can't talk to the people sitting next to me - it totally detracts from the ocassion. Plus I don't understand why the baal hasimcha doesn't tell the band to lower the volume so that THEY themselves can talk to the many guests who have come from all over to be wiht them.
Plus, think of the babies and young children who's parents blithely sit with them right near to the speakers. Young ears are very susceptible to irreprable damage from high noise levels,which may only be evident years later when it is too late -so be warned - keep those kids away from noisy loudspeakers.

The music at these parties is too loud. It is not just at weddings-at one bar mitzvah, my husband went out to buy earplugs for everyone.

It's an important rule of thumb to understand when noise levels come to the appropriate and maximum pitch. This is one reason why I'm not so fond of parties due to the high noise level in the music since I can hardly/barely hear those who I am mingling with...Also, I do not own an iPod, so I hope that will help in getting my hearing prolonged for the better. Furthermore, it can be bad enough that our elders can hardly hear us, even with a hearing aid, but what if it is worse for the generations thereafter due to all this amplified sound technology?