Proposal would create Seattle ‘Loud Music Venues’ earplug law
https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2025/03/huh-proposal-would-create-seattle-loud-music-venues-earplug-law/Open linkView original on reddthat.comhttps://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2025/03/huh-proposal-would-create-seattle-loud-music-venues-earplug-law/Open linkView original on reddthat.com
I'm all for free and/or cheap ear plugs at all shows.
They don't charge for hand soap, toilet paper, tampons & pads, nor paper towels all of which are available for free for public health reasons.
Cheap ear plugs are a small investment in that same health.
Don't give conservatives any ideas.
An effort as small as businesses putting up a little sign and giving away free ear plugs would go SUCH a long way. I'm entirely in!
This is a bit like mandating bulletproof vests since Americans all have guns in the street. There should be a law to limit concert volume so you don't get permanent hearing damage by being there. I love music but I can't stand concerts with how loud they are.
I give this a resounding "meh." If you're worried about your hearing (you should be), get a decent pair of Loops or something like that. Making ElCo offer $1 shitty foam earbuds isn't really gonna accomplish anything.
It will accomplish informing people that they are indeed being exposed to sound loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage. I think a surprising amount of people don't quite grasp that reality.
Also you can get the best noise reduction rating (33dB) earplugs for well under a dollar, I last ordered 25 pairs of disposable foam plugs for ~$0.50 a pair at $13 total. So while it's totally expected for some venues to be scummy and still offer shitty plugs, I'm hopeful that the majority of them will take the over 100% profit on the $1 price or under.
This definitely falls under the category of "don't they have something better to be legislating"
I actually think this is a good public health move, I would want my politicians pushing this.