Ensuring Safe Listening at Union Chapel – Quiet Night Out

We’re so excited to be presenting our first concert at Union Chapel – the iconic London venue – and we know that its unique acoustic character also brings challenges for listeners, particularly those with sound sensitivities such as tinnitus. That’s why we’ve been working proactively to prioritise audience comfort and hearing health throughout the planning process. 

At the centre of our approach is alignment with the World Health Organization’s Global Standard for Safe Listening at Venues and Events, which sets out evidence-based recommendations to reduce the risk of hearing damage while preserving a high-quality listening experience. 

The WHO guidelines recommend that live music venues and event organisers: 

• Monitor and manage sound levels to reduce the risk of hearing damage. 

• Provide clear information to audiences about sound exposure and hearing health. 

• Encourage or provide access to hearing protection such as earplugs. 

• Offer quiet or low-sound areas where people can take listening breaks. 

• Design sound systems and mixes that prioritise clarity and minimise harmful peaks. 

• Support staff and performers to work within safe sound limits. 

These principles are designed to ensure that live music remains enjoyable while reducing long-term risks to hearing and we have worked with the Union Chapel and sponsors ACS Custom to deliver on each of these guidelines.   

Working with Sound Engineers & Production 

We’re collaborating closely with the venue’s expert sound technician and the event producer to focus on clarity over loudness – carefully shaping the mix so it’s well-defined without unnecessary harshness. We’ll be using calibrated monitoring and will strictly respect a 90 dB limit over 15 minutes throughout the event, with many parts of the programme well below that threshold. We’re also actively controlling transients (sudden peaks) to reduce listening fatigue. 

Curated Programme with Natural Breaks 

The event has been designed with natural ebbs and flows – alternating music, spoken word and comedy – so that sections build gradually and include quieter moments. These natural breaks give audience members short listening rests, which can help reduce fatigue and support ear health. A designated quiet space will also be available throughout the evening. 

Hearing Protection & Audience Comfort 

In line with WHO safe listening principles, hearing protection will be actively encouraged, and clear messaging about ear health will be shared with attendees. Each ticketholder will be provided with a pair of ACS Custom earplugs on arrival as part of the ticket price. These are designed to reduce volume while preserving sound quality. 

If the sound feels too much at any point and you need a break, we’ve arranged with Union Chapel to provide a designated quiet space for attendees. This will be clearly signposted on the night and located in the vestry area next to the main green room downstairs. 

For those concerned about acoustics, sound is generally more balanced mid-room on the main floor, away from the main speaker hangs and not directly under the gallery, where reflections can be more pronounced. 

Tinnitus Ambassadors on the Night 

We’ll also have Tinnitus Ambassadors present throughout the event. Look out for their T-shirts – they’ll be available during the interval and quieter moments to chat, answer questions about tinnitus, and offer reassurance. They can also help signpost you to further support and resources if you need it, whether on the night or afterwards.

A Learning Year 

As this is the first year we’re presenting a concert in this format, we’ll be reviewing how it works in practice and gathering feedback from attendees. This learning will directly inform decisions about sound approaches and venue choices for future years. 

Creating inclusive, enjoyable and safe listening experiences is central to what we want to achieve, and we’re grateful to Union Chapel’s technical team and our production partners for working with us to make that possible. 

To buy tickets for the event, go to Tinnitus Week – Quiet Night Out – Tinnitus UK.