There are some very scientific and rather in depth studies on sound and the descriptive word that some use for sound and others noise seems to be decibels . My brief perusal of what these scientists have to say on the topic makes me realize that had they asked I might have provided further information for them to digest . I’ve come to learn a great deal about the topic .
It’s raining right now and though it’s difficult to explain how that correlates to a wedding we attended yesterday I shall make an effort . The wedding of a nephew in Colombia brought family from far and wide to congregate three days before the event . There were local Aunts , Uncle’s and Cousins along with others from cities two hours away and besides the wife and I, a family group from the United States that hadn’t been seen in two years along with some of the newest additions . This family was given a big welcome on the night they arrived and it took place at my house .
The house has a very nice ceiling of wood slats richly stained an appropriate color for the age of the home all nailed securely and butted up to each other tightly and the hired Mariachi band set up all their instruments and “sound” equipment beneath it . They were quite good and right on que here in Colombia no matter how loud the music someone will always call out for more volume . This call forced me to take refuge outside while the vibrations inside caused pounds of dust from the 100 year old attic to work its way through the butted slats requiring dustpans full to be swept out in the morning .
Now scientists may have some formula to calculate what decibels are and at what point they become harmful to human ears …… I have my own theories on this . One is that when three quarters of a can of beer can dance its way unassisted across the table we have crossed the threshold from sound to … noise , but hey I accept that’s probably just me . As I write I’m treated to the calming and quiet sound of rain slowly dripping onto the bathroom ceiling caused by two clay barrel tiles on the roof that were shaken loose as we passed that sound to noise threshold much like a fighter jet punching its way through the sound barrier .
Not to make light of a serious subject but there are times I might not consider deafness to be any kind of handicap at all ….
