THIS writer is one who has been constantly writing on the effects of noise to people’s hearing, health and general well being.  A few other concerned Guyanese also wrote on the pains they suffer when people hold usually loud and vulgar shows in their communities, inclusive of other noises. It was my personal joy to see in the Guyana Times on Monday 21, June, 2010, a detailed piece on: ‘effects of noise on hearing.’ I wish to recommend this article to all the Members of Cabinet, the Government and Opposition, all Permanent Secretaries, the Chancellor of the Judiciary, the Judges, the Attorney General, the Magistrates (who give permission for noisy shows despite peoples’ protestations, even despite Police charges, private court actions and blatant disregard for the contempt charges).  Amongst other dangerous aspects of noise to human beings health, Denise Robinson, Audio logical Practitioner Ministry of Health (Guyana) says:
“Loud Music can cause temporary and permanent hearing loss. These sensitive structures, called hair cells, are tiny sensory cells that convert sound energy into electrical impulses that travel to the brain. Once damaged, our hair cells cannot grow again.
If the noise is so loud that you have to shout to make yourself heard – which happens a lot when you go to a party or concerts – overtime, the mechanism in the inner ear will be damaged.
Noise-induced hearing is 100 percent preventable.  All individuals should understand the hazards of noise, and how to practice good hearing health in every day life.
Awareness of bad effects of noise of social and occupational noise should be raised amongst the public and those with a higher risk of exposure.
Stereos and other amplifying devices used in homes, at social events or in vehicles should be kept to a moderate level, allowing persons to be able to talk over the music.
Citizens of Guyana, you all know for how long this writer in association with Citizens of Atlantic Gardens have been on a campaign to get an entertainment house and any other places to respect citizens right to rest and not be bombarded with unwanted vulgar and ugly noise in their homes on days of rest such as weekends and holidays, and especially at nights. These loud, ugly and vulgar shows are always at nights, going into the wee hours of the morning, affecting old and young, and children from studying, aggravating blood pressure, heart attacks, etc.
This owner of an entertainment house along with a promoter was charged by the Police, yet the owner rented his premises for several shows after. He was taken to court in civil action and a court order acquired to prevent him from playing any loud noise that disturb people from 10pm.  He disrespected the order and rented the place for numerous shows playing loud and dirty music up to 2 and 4am, having started the noise from 2 pm.  Many shows are held on Sundays going to wee hours of the Monday morning, or the Tuesday after a Monday holiday.  People can’t study, work or enjoy life, except the promoters, the renter, the artistes, who then having made their money and had a good time, go home and sleep for a day or two. We are left with high blood pressure, heart problems, nervous tensions and hearing problems.
Recently in Atlantic Gardens two persons died of massive heart attacks, they both complained of the tremor of their homes and the heart during shows.
It is said that magistrates provide permission for these terrible shows. Well the magistrates should police the license they give, as the people swear to affidavits, which are not policed or enforced. The magistrates need to visit the homes of persons in the areas whom permission are given to get an idea, hence I am inviting the magistrate of East Coast or the Chief Magistrate to please be my guest whenever a show is held at this entertainment house to see what we go through.  Sadly, police, which are hired to keep the peace and assist traffic do not enforce the approval and affidavit, and despite a court order for 10pm stoppage, or as the norm allows, which is 12 midnight, they do not stop shows, but seem  to enjoy the merriment that the shows offer. One officer once told me, oh the show ran at a loss, my answer was that if the show operated at a loss, does that empower them to play lewd music up to 2 or 4am.  He could not answer. Unfortunately, some police compromise themselves at times.
The Hon. Minister of Health, and the Hon. Minister of Home affairs do need to come out on a campaign, as the Minister of Health has against smoking and drinking alcohol, to confront the health issues of noise.
The Minister of Education recently has approached religious bodies to help in morality in schools. I agree, and the IRO can help, but hey, get the government to do its part. Children under 12 are free for a show on July 24. If I get the date right, despite a court order, contempt action and police charge, Hon. Minister, yes, free. Is this an attempt to damage their hair cells or ear drums, or to addict them to lewd and immoral company and music?  For them to get excited at half naked flesh on stage, so that their addiction grows and they become a moral problem in school, start teenage drinking, smoking and teenage sex. Is the Hon. Minister of Human Services, Mrs. Priya Manickchand reading and listening? The advertisements show half naked Trinidadian women gyrating in sensational manners that will make children want to do the same thing.  Do we in Guyana wish that Guyana turns into Trinidad, with its wanton vulgarities called chutney, or like Jamaica with the lewd dancehall music.

The last show at this entertainment house one singer was glorifying marijuana, an illegal drug.  Will it not cause children who are usually free, to want to try this glorious herb but illegal substance.  The owner of the entertainment house does not take his daughter to these shows, why?
The owner told a magistrate while on trial, he cannot take the stand because he has a heart problem and his medicine did not arrive, yet the Sunday following he was energetically travelling to New York for his holiday. He says he cannot stand the noise so he goes home at 9 pm on evenings and nights of shows, but he leaves us to suffer. Even the animals (our dogs) suffer. They start to jump and bark, hitting their head on walls and fences, and have to be petted. I and others lose valuable tenants, due to the noise, yet the authorities do nothing.  Why? The need for entertainment, well read the piece in Times, go on the internet and study what noise does to young and old hearings and hearts.
The Hon. Attorney General may be the man to step in and end this nonsense, and help this country, as it seems no one is hearing us.  This noise is destroying the lives of citizens of Atlantic Gardens and Happy Acres. Our children are suffering migraines. Minister of Health, religions can’t help the moral decay if you cannot help us. But as usual the Authorities ask for help and take action when it is too late. This is a serious matter for government. Years ago I was talking and writing on domestic abuse, sexual destruction of students by teachers, and by people of position of trust, no one listened until after ten years, then the government acted.  Some officials were annoyed at me, even abused me. I am urging the government of this country to control the level of music and kinds of shows that enter Guyana. If not stop calling on religious bodies to step in and help!!
Recently, the Travellers sound system has commenced the advertisement of the noisiest sound machine in history, the tallest and biggest, whose head and health do they wish to destroy?  The operators of these sound systems always wear ear plugs to save their hearing.