One of the most common hearing

problems we hear about is the difficulty of hearing in noisy restaurants.

It seems that along with movies, television shows and the world in general,

restaurants have become noisier than ever. Loud background music, the

clatter of silverware and dishes, the voices of other diners raising their

voices to be heard ­ all can make the restaurant setting a challenging

and frustrating place to carry on a conversation.

People with normal hearing

also complain about noisy restaurants. According to Zagat Surveys, who

collected diners' comments on more than 15,000 restaurants across the

nation, noise is the second most common complaint of restaurant-goers

(second only to poor service).

Because so many people complain

about restaurant noise, two audiology researchers from the University

of California in San Francisco decided to measure the actual noise levels

in five different restaurants. The restaurants ranged from bar/restaurants

to family restaurants to elegant, upscale settings. Noise levels were

measured and averaged over one-hour time periods between 6 p.m. and 10

p.m.

The researchers found that

average noise levels ranged between 50 and 90 decibels on the "A"

scale (dBA). Normal conversation is about 45 to 50 decibels. More importantly,

the highest noise levels averaged about 110 dBA, while some peak noise

levels actually reached more than 140 dBA ­ well beyond the tolerance

level of any listener.

The family restaurants were

much quieter than the bar/restaurant settings. The "elegant, upscale"

restaurant was the quietest setting by far ­ about 20 decibels quieter

than the other restaurants. Apparently, patrons of more expensive restaurants

receive not only better food and service for their dining dollar, they

also get a better listening environment.

The researchers concluded

that the noise levels of all but the "elegant restaurant" are

loud enough to interfere with normal conversation, whether the individuals

have a hearing loss or not. They recommended that all restaurant reviewers

do what a few reviewers have already done ­ adopt a noise rating

system as a regular part of their reviews. That would allow all of us

­ whether we have a hearing loss or not ­ to choose a restaurant

we can go to and enjoy rather than merely tolerate.

* A Restaurant Tip

Try to sit away from the kitchen

and with your back to a wall. Noise levels will be kept to a minimum and

your waiter or waitress will have to face you when speaking.