Reducing the sound exposure level in an orchestra pit by a set of tailored measures

摘要

To reduce the risk of a noise-induced hearing loss in workplaces, the EU directive 2003/10/EC sets certain exposure action values and an exposure limit with respect to the daily or weekly sound exposure as well as the peak sound pressure. Hearing protection, which is one of the most efficient means to reduce the risk of hearing loss in the majority of work places, is generally considered inadequate as the sole solution for orchestra musicians. Technical and organizational measures should therefore precede or accompany individual hearing protection. Moreover, their pertinent execution requires deliberate solutions, which need to be in agreement with the conditions of performance practice and architecture. This contribution presents an attempt to reduce the sound exposure level in the orchestra pit of the Deutsche Oper Berlin by a set of constructional measures. The current conditions and the requirements of the musicians were assessed with acoustical measurements and with a questionnaire, respectively. A hybrid simulation method was subsequently employed to simulate and optimize the sound field. Optimization focussed on an improvement of audibility between musicians and the equalization of the areal pattern of room modes. While the former objective is well-know for improving the ensemble play, the latter reduces the exposure as well as the masking of the fundamental frequencies of singers and instruments. The paper finally presents a set of constructional measures, which are considered viable approaches for reducing the risk of noise-induced hearing loss in the orchestra pit.