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This analysis of new and previously collected data was done to validate the efficacy of recommendations for limits regarding sound exposure levels at live pop concerts. After the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limiting the sound levels at such concerts to avoid noise induced hearing damage among the audience, the actual levels at concerts where these recommendations are observed, have stabilized around 100 dBA. This is a level that is considered acceptable by WHO. At concerts where there are no limitations, however, the sound levels in the audience area are still increasing far beyond safe limits and thus the exposure may represent a serious threat to people's hearing.

The aim of this manuscript is to summarize the current scenarios encompassing noise exposure in the workplace and the risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in Asia. NIHL is the most prevalent and preventable occupational disease in most Asian countries. Sources of noise in these countries include manufacturing and agriculture industries, exploitation of natural resources, and urban traffic. The highest attributable fraction of adult-onset hearing loss resulting from noise exposure in the world comes from Asian countries. NIHL is a serious health problem in Asia, not only because of the number of affected labourers, but also because the majority of Asian countries are still developing economies where access to health services and preventive programmes are limited. Lack of awareness about NIHL among employers, employees, and health care professionals is one of the main barriers for the prevention of NIHL in Asia. In this paper, the sources of noise, NIHL prevalence in different industries, local legislation, and research publications on NIHL from Asia are discussed.

The populations at risk of adverse effects of noise include, in addition to adults, also children and juveniles, the two groups considered to be particularly vulnerable to noise-induced hearing loss and numerous other adverse systemic effects of exposure to noise. Major sources of noise exposure in children's and youth's environments include incubators at neonate intensive care wards, toys (such as e.g. rattles, squeeze toys, percussion cap toys, pistols), fireworks, pop and rock music concerts, aerobic courses and personal portable music players. This paper reports dB-A noise levels associated with those noise sources, and also combined dB-A levels of noise from external and internal sources prevailing at schools. The suggested preventive steps specified in the CE-HAPE (Children's Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe) and PINCHE (Policy Interpretation Network on Children's Health and Environment) include legislative measures to limit the intensity and time of exposure to noise and classes/education actions for youths and parents.

Noise acts by means of the ear on the central and autonomous nervous systems. When this stimulus passes determined limits, it provokes deafness and has pathological effects, both instantaneous and differed, on both nervous systems. At much lower levels, noise produces discomfort, diminishes attention, or impedes communication, concentration and sleep; noise reduces school or professional performance; noise increases the possibility for antisocial behavior; noise can lead to a loss in the value of a building or can cause accidents in the work place. The author describes the importance of this topic, reviews the anatomical-physiological features of the ear, and describes noise and its properties. The author also describes how noise affects our organism, habits, life styles, society, working environment and health. The author finishes by providing some current preventive measures and some recommendations to avoid this pollutant.

After defining noise and describing the physical characteristics that determine its noxious capability, the paper discusses the etiopathogenesis, clinical features and diagnostic criteria (anamnestic, audiometric, exclusion of other causes) of noise-induced damage. In conclusion, the legislative (preventive) and medico-legal issues of noise pathology are presented.

The aim of the research was to evaluate the risk for the health of the disco-goers related to no-professional exposition to noise produced by speakers of discos. The noise has been measured in the middle of a disco using a class 1 phonometer. The exposition level was calculated using the formula quoted in the D.Lgs 277/91 (Italian legislative decree) and the possible damage was calculated using the Casini's formula. The calculated daily exposition level was 99,1 dBA and the weekly exposition was 92.1 dBA. The results indicate that the hypacusia damage due to these expositions can be considered almost sure.