Face the Music: A 20 year plan was presented at IOA 50th

 
At the Institute of Acoustics 50th Annual Conference held 12-13 September 2024 at Manchester Met Business School Professor Stephen Dance chaired the Musical Acoustics session presenting an update to his Face the Music series. This was a 10 year update on his Tyndall Medal winning research. He explained that noise and music have a different physiological affect on our hearing system but more sound definitely leads to more damage. He went on to discuss how education and awareness over the past 18 years has improved musicians hearing. Finally new hearing assessment methods are being developed and are under testing. A very good and diverse session. . 

The results of the Quiet Project presented at IOA 50th Conference

On the 12/13th September 2024 the Institute of Acoustics held their 50th Conference in Manchester. Professor Stephen Dance presented the results of the Quiet Project - A National Noise Survey undertaken during Lockdown to conference. The results demonstrated that WHO day and night target noise levels are very difficult to achieve. It was also found that suburbia does not exist according to government which will be very important to Electric Vehicle Penetration which needs charging points. A range of questions were asked around Air Source Heat Pumps which of course are mainly located in the back garden of homes.  

 

The Final UKAN Conference

 

On the 12th September 2024 UKAN held it's annual conference at Manchester Metropolitan University. The future, successes and legacy were discussed with Professor Stephen Dance leading the discussion using Mentimeter for audience feedback. PhD candidate Ruben Vasquez Amos attended the event and participated in the dialogue. EPSRC programme lead Andrew Lawrence was impressed. The best UKAN research poster award went to Julia Tomaszewska of University of West London  The new EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training lead by Salford, with Sheffield, Southampton, Bristol was celebrated. Finally the proposed Noise Network+ pitched their ideas at a mock panel. We wish them all the best!  . 

Hearing Conservation Conference supported by UKAN event

 

The Hearing Conservation Association will host their annual conference on 5th November 2024 at Birmingham Event Centre. This is a UKAN supported event. This year will include a research update fromn Professor Stepheh Dance who will also host a discussion between the Communication, hearing and Immersive Audio Special Interest Groups. See you in Birmingham

19th Year of Royal Academy of Music Hearing Assessments

 
On the 5th September 2024 the Acoustics Group started the 19th round of hearing assessments for the Royal Academy of Music. This year PhD candidate Ruben Vazquez Amos is assisting Professor Stephen Dance in the audiometric and otoacoustic emission testing. This year we should reach 5500 audiograms and 1000 OAE results!

Additional funding from UKAN for Campaign on Hearing

 

On the 2nd September 2024 Professor Stephen Dance has been awarded £5000 from the UK Acoustics Network (UKJAN) to help support the campaign to Make Listening Safe and the annual Hearing Conservation Association conference. Lets hope that the campaign raises public awareness of the risks associated with using headphones for gaming and music listening..     

Professor Stephen Dance presents his work at Inter-Noise24

 

On the 29th August 2024 Professor Stephen Dance presented his research to Inter-Noise24 in Nantes. His paper was entitled, "Sound exposure of St Paul's Cathedral choristers including unusual events". The special event of particular interest was when the tenor gave an unamplified solo performance which filled the entire volume of St Paul's. This raised many questions from the audience but has resulted in an all girls choir being introduced. The first time in 900 years!