[Laker14]

The nice thing about an outdoor venue is that you can choose how far from the source you wish to be.

[Juniper]

They’re eating the dogs they’re eating the cats and wearing earplugs of the people who live there.

[RoboVil]

Originally Posted by jimhoward

I am new to the villages but in my short time here have not found the music to be overly loud by any means. I like it.

It is band-dependent, but I have noticed that the volume seems to be cranked up a bit more these days as well. Some bands do need to turn the volume down.

[jaxjag1fan@yahoo.com]

I work at a rec center that has music playing at the pool. It doesn’t matter where I put the music volume somebody will always say can you turn it up or down. They are not going to please everybody.

[La lamy]

I agree that the music can be too loud. It reminds me that I should always have earplugs with me. I've probably seen 600 concerts in my life and I unfortunately forgot to bring earplugs for most of them. Surprising my hearing is still as good as it is, because rolled up toilet paper in ears is definitely not as effective!

[rsmurano]

The noise level is on the low side for an outdoor concert. In the 70’s and 80’s, I was in hard rock bands and we had a wall of 6’ Marshall amps behind me and I played the drums, playing as hard as I could, and I couldn’t hear myself play.
This was before the musicians had custom fitted ear plugs/monitor so you can hear yourself play.
It’s vey easy, if you think it’s too loud, don’t go

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by Smalley

People are using ear plugs or just staying away because of the overly loud music at the squares. What can we do to lower the volume before lots of folks lose some more of their hearing? Who is in charge of this?

Thanks for opinions and information.

I avoid going to hear music on the squares partly because I’m a musician who suffers from Temporary Threshold Shift. That means that my hearing is normally excellent for my age, but loud noise (especially from electric bass, drums, amplifiers with the gain turned up too much, loud restaurant) paralyzes the cilia in my inner ear, so then it’s as if I’m hearing things from underwater. It’s very unpleasant, and it can lead to permanent damage. For me, a band much louder than 90 decibels will soon cause problems.

A lot of us who like the music on the squares go to sit and chat with people. Plenty also go to dance. Loud, throbbing music is more likely to get people up and dancing. It’s too loud for chatting.

If you have an iPhone, go to the App Store on your phone and download the free app called SPLnFFT Noise Meter. This is accurate and will tell you how loud the sound is where you are. Decibels are on a scale like earthquakes. A three decibel increase in sound is a 100% increase in the sound pressure, even though 3 dB is about the smallest change most people can notice. If you can do to the sound people and say “During the first set the volume was never above 92 dB and averaged 89 dB, but during this set it is averaging 100 dB, which can cause hearing loss,” then you are more likely to convince them. But probably not.

I’ve tried several types of earplugs supposedly for musicians, but they cut the volume too much, and if I talk, I sound way too loud in my head. I’ve recently found a product on Amazon that I like a lot, called “ Flare Calmer Nude – Ear Plugs Alternative – Reduce Annoying Noises Without Blocking Sound – Soft Reusable Silicone”. Only $25. These cut the volume by only 3-6 dB. That isn’t much, but it’s often enough to bring the volume down to what I can bear. It doesn’t interfere much with the sound quality, and when I talk while wearing them, I don’t sound to myself like I’m shouting.

[ndf888]

Originally Posted by Smalley

People are using ear plugs or just staying away because of the overly loud music at the squares. What can we do to lower the volume before lots of folks lose some more of their hearing? Who is in charge of this?

Thanks for opinions and information.

I’m with you here. I tried talking to the audio technicians at the squares but got a glib reply.

I suspect that although many residents would prefer a lower volume, a sizable and vocal minority are already deaf. A good lawyer would probably tell you that there’s no way to prove cause and effect.

So we just buy Lysian soft foam ear plugs in bulk on Amazon. E.g.: https://a.co/d/a6JHeBH. These are inexpensive and cut the volume much more than more pricey varieties.

[SaucyJim]

Outdoor venues usually have to limit their volume because sound can travel further than many realize. I’ve noticed the town squares volumes have increased in just the few short months I’ve been a full-timer. This is not our imagination. I’m glad I don’t live close enough to have it affect my peace at home.

As far as people talking in the town squares, completely acceptable. It’s a free show in a public square. Not a paid concert hall performance. And the music should not be too loud to prevent conversation. If you want to hear it louder, stand by the stage.

I like some bands at City Fire in Lake Sumter Landing, but the volume level in that enclosed, small venue is destroying the hearing of everyone in the room. Literally. Use a dB meter and you’ll earplug up real quick. Conversation? Don’t even think about it.

If it’s too loud, you’re too old? Nope. You’re wise enough to not blow out what hearing you have left.

[FredMitchell]

In Wildwood, as a home or business owner, you have Article IV, Sections 13-101, et.seq. available.

Recently we met a couple for dinner at the restaurant in Sawgrass. The music from the Sawgrass "square" was too loud inside the restaurant. Had we not been meeting a couple there, we would have left. Now, aware of the code, I would have asked for the manager to explain why we were not going to honor the reservation (had it been ours and not the other couple's).

The attitude of some posts, "if it is too loud for you, leave" is disturbing to me. The squares are public spaces, surrounded by businesses. Do you really believe that there should be no enforceable limit to noise volume?

Noise abatement procedures are in place at hundreds of airports. Sonic booms were outlawed over 60 years ago in US airspace. Noise at too high a volume is a known medical problem.

If we don't like smoke, do we have to leave?

Originally Posted by Smalley

People are using ear plugs or just staying away because of the overly loud music at the squares. What can we do to lower the volume before lots of folks lose some more of their hearing? Who is in charge

Thanks for opinions and information.

Rock n Roll, made LOUD to play LOUD

[jimkerr]

Originally Posted by Smalley

People are using ear plugs or just staying away because of the overly loud music at the squares. What can we do to lower the volume before lots of folks lose some more of their hearing? Who is in charge of this?

Thanks for opinions and information.

I’ve never thought the music is too loud. You’re listening to a band. They should have the volume levels high.

[JanRoberts]

Hahahaha!!!

[Zeitung]

Originally Posted by Smalley

People are using ear plugs or just staying away because of the overly loud music at the squares. What can we do to lower the volume before lots of folks lose some more of their hearing? Who is in charge of this?

Thanks for opinions and information.

I totally agree ! It’s been way too loud for too long and if someone knows what to do about it, let us know!
We hardly ever go anymore because of the loudness!
When we moved here in 2007 we could at least still converse at the square and it was great! All that is gone! Perhaps we should get a petition going and send it to the villages entertainment!
Any suggestions?

[Lscannevin]

We just stay away. Too loud for our ears and not worth the damage.