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Pipe down

COPILED BY ROHINI RAMAKRISHNAN

PHOTO: R. RAGU

EAR-SPLITTING: Bagpipes record 108 decibels.

Members of a traditional Scottish band have been told to wear earplugs after it was discovered their drums and bagpipes made more noise than a jet engine. The BBC website said an audiologist visited the Wick Royal British Legion Scotland Pipe Band and recorded their bagpipes at 108 decibels and snare drums at an ear-splitting 122 decibels — a total of 230 decibels. At take-off, the engine of a jet aircraft generally reaches about 140 decibels. U.K. legislation dictates that action needs to be taken if noise levels exceed 90 decibels — equivalent to the sounds in a large factory or a heavy truck — to prevent individuals suffering lasting hearing damage. Band secretary, John Bogle was quoted as saying the 40 band members from the far northeast Scotland group were concerned and had been told to consider buying earplugs.

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