"TURN DOWN THE MUSIC!"
I'm a pretty hip old guy. I try not to look, dress or act my age. People seldom guess my age and I like it that way. I have 3 sons who keep me up to date in a lot of areas. So I'm definitely not "an old fuddy duddy."I grew up in the age of rock-and-roll and I like it. I crank the music up in the car when I'm by myself and I'd do the same at home if it didn't rattle the wife, the cat, or the pictures on the wall. I have a little bit of mid-range hearing loss, but I'm definitely not hard of hearing. So...with all of that as background I'd like to make a request of contemporary Worship Leaders:
"TURN DOWN THE MUSIC!"
Seriously, guys. I've checked the dB levels in some services and they register around 98-102 dB. A few are even louder! Some are so loud I not only can't hear anyone else singing, I can't even hear myself singing. I've actually stuffed Kleenex in my ears a few times! When it's that loud, it's not conducive to congregational singing or worship. What you create is a religious rock concert with spectators.
Now check out this chart:
| Train whistle at 500', Truck Traffic | 90dB |
| Jackhammer at 50' | 95dB |
| Subway train at 200' | 95dB |
| Level at which sustained exposure may result in hearing loss | 90 - 95dB |
| Hand Drill | 98dB |
| Power mower at 3' | 107dB |
| Snowmobile, Motorcycle | 100dB |
| Power saw at 3' | 110dB |
| Sandblasting, Loud Rock Concert | 115dB |
| Pain begins | 125dB |
| Pneumatic riveter at 4' | 125dB |
So not only is the volume destuctive to corporate worship, it's also destructive to hearing -- both yours AND eveyone else's in the room. Check below and see how quickly loud music damanges hearing.
I know people (younger than me) who have not only walked out on worship services, I know a couple who always arrives just about the time they know worship is ending and just show up for the sermon. So you have to ask yourself: for WHOM are you doing this music? The band? Yourself?
So do everyone a favor, guys - get a decible meter, have your sound man check your levels, and please,
"TURN DOWN THE MUSIC!"
