Independent Expert Confirms Dangerous Noise Levels in New Orleans' French Quarter

NEW ORLEANS, March 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- At the request of New Orleans residents, Mr. Arno Bommer – a nationally recognized and certified expert in acoustics, noise and vibration – measured sound levels in and around clubs of New Orleans and found they routinely and significantly exceeded the maximum allowed standards by city and state laws, presenting a significant risk to those exposed to the excessive noise.

According to Mr. Bommer, sound levels at French Quarter clubs and bars are the most concerning. Measurements at the doors of Bourbon Street clubs can exceed 105 dBA and over 95 dBA on the street.

Uptown, Marigny and other neighborhood music districts also have consistent problems when live music venues exceed neighborhood noise limits, especially after midnight, as Mr. Bommer documented.

"People regularly exposed to the very high sound levels can suffer permanent hearing loss," said Mr. Bommer. "From my observations, some clubs produce sound levels that present a significant risk of hearing loss to musicians, employees and patrons. Even on sidewalks and in the middle of Bourbon Street, sound levels are sufficiently high to cause permanent hearing loss."

From the bars sampled, Mr. Bommer notes, "excessive sound levels are nearly continuous."

Neighborhood groups contend excessive noise from the Quarter is keeping residents and tourists alike from enjoying the music and culture of the area, but also causing health problems. Mr. Bommer concurred that excessive noise is not just a nuisance, but also a health risk.

"Depending on the orientation of a business's openings, the sound can be projected down otherwise quiet side streets, impeding neighbors' ability to comfortably enjoy their property, as required by law," said Mr. Bommer.

Mr. Bommer noted during his study that the city's noise ordinance is rarely enforced, and to be enforceable clubs would have to make some soundproofing modifications. He encouraged employees to wear earplugs to prevent hearing loss.

One of the simplest suggestions he offered is simply enforcing a municipal ordinance provision that prohibits shops from directing speakers into the street. On March 8, Municipal Court Judge Paul Sens is scheduled to hear a trial enforcing the first code violation of that provision of the noise ordinance, a case that resulted because a police officer could not hear his radio while patrolling the area due a bar's excessive noise broadcast into Bourbon Street.

Mr. Bommer noted that one club owner in New Orleans renovated the stage, installed soundproofing, and now uses personal monitors for the musicians.  The owner likes the results.

"While this is not the only business model for a club, it is appropriate for eliminating the noise impacts of those clubs that are situated such that they produce excessive sound levels at residences," noted Mr. Bommer in his report.

HearTheNOLAMusic.org is an organization dedicated to the advocacy of both music and neighborhoods, of economic development and entertainment zones. Our objective is to enforce New Orleans' noise ordinance throughout the city to create a balance between a safer and peaceful environment for residents, a creative and healthy environment for artists, and a thriving atmosphere for business in order to promote a higher quality of life.

Noise reports by Mr. Bommer can be downloaded at: http://noisenola.wordpress.com/about/meda-links-press/ or by visiting the website www.HearTheNOLAMusic.org.

Watch a video: http://www.level3dmg.com/VNR/Bommer_VNR.mp4

For more information, contact C. Brylski (504) 897-6110.

www.HearTheNOLAmusic.com

SOURCE Hear the Music Stop the No!se