The sound in dark rooms divides: some find it too loud, others just enough. Capped at 102 decibels in cinemas, sound can represent a public health issue. We asked spectators what they thought and did the experiment ourselves. We tell you.
Have you ever covered your ears while watching a movie in the cinema? For many spectators, the big screen experience sometimes becomes a sonic ordeal. In front of the purchase terminal at the Odysseum in Montpellier, Souleymane, a frequent spectator, recognizes: “Generally, the dialogues are fine. But it’s true that in action films, during the fight scenes, it’s a little too strong. I have the impression that as the years go by, it gets worse and worse.”
At the end of a screening in this same cinema, Céline removes foam earplugs: “It’s terrible, now I systematically bring my earplugs, otherwise it’s unbearable. When I saw the movie Dune in another theater, I was in so much pain that I almost walked out.” His companion, on the other hand, did not have the same experience: “Maybe I’m less sensitive, but I thought it was okay.” An opinion shared by Raoul, encountered in the corridors: “I have no problem with the sound. I like horror films and thrillers, I come precisely for the immersive experience: the seat, the atmosphere, and the 360 sound is part of it.” “Meit never bothered me”, finally completes Nina.
It’s terrible, now I systematically bring my earplugs, otherwise it’s unbearable
A respected regulation?
To find out for sure, we measured the sound volume during a session at the Odysseum. Installed in the center of the room to obtain the most homogeneous feedback possible, the verdict is in: for dialogue, the sound oscillates between 70 and 96 decibels (dB). For action scenes, on the other hand, the volume goes up. up to a maximum of 99 dB.
As impressive as these figures are, the session is nevertheless perfectly compliant with the law. The “sound decree” of August 7, 2017 (amended by the decree of April 2023) strictly regulates cinemas:
-
A general ceiling: the sound level must never exceed 102 dB (A) over a period of 15 minutes.
-
Low frequencies: they are limited to 118 dB (C) to avoid excessive vibrations.
-
The young audience : for sessions intended for children aged 6 and under, the law is stricter, restricting sound to 94 dB (A).
On the professional side, we ensure that the volume is under control. Sébastien Rodriguez, director of Cinéma Gaumont (Comédie) and Multiplex (Odysseum) explains the protocol: “Each room and each film are checked in situ as soon as they are first broadcast on Wednesday morning by our teams in order to adjust, downwards or upwards, the sound level.”
For Cédric Fayolle, director of the CGR of Nîmes, the perception of noise also depends on the architecture and artistic choices: “At home, we have a maximum of 85 decibels for voices and 82 decibels for ambient sounds. But some directors ask to push the sound. We decide to do it or not, but the goal remains to offer a cinematic rendering. The sensitivity of the spectators or their placement in the room means that the feeling will be slightly different, without it being a technical problem.”
A truly safe volume?
If cinemas comply with the legislation, do these levels remain safe for our ears? Not quite. According to the National Hearing Association, “ebetween 80 and 110 dB, the risk of deafness increases with the duration of exposure. Above 110 dB, the alteration can be immediate.” For comparison, 80 dB corresponds to the sound of a horn, 90 dB to a motorcycle backfiring nearby, and 100 dB to headphones used at full power.
The law requires a smoothed average over 15 minutes: a quick peak at 100 dB during an explosion in a movie will not destroy your hearing. On the other hand, if the film maintained this level for two hours, the danger would be very real.
Also read:
“Razor blades in the ears†Â: a simple cinema screening turns Solène’s life upside down, now suffering from hyperacusis
The health risks are numerous and invisible. “The first and most obvious is hearing loss. It develops gradually, over years, making early detection difficult without regular testing.explain Laboratoires Unissons. […] Tinnitus is another common effect. Although often temporary, they can become chronic and seriously affect quality of life.”
To continue enjoying your sessions without damaging your hearing and if you are sensitive: keep a pair of earplugs in your pocket… and lower the volume of your headphones every day.
