Youtube Video Prompts IASCA to Chastize Competitors for Lack of Hearing Protection

Filed under: Car Audio



IASCA recently sent out an email to all of their associates in regards to a Youtube video showing a competitor not wearing hearing protection in a 150+ decibel windshield-shattering competition run.

Video and email after the jump.


- Thanks to neptyr for finding the video.

The following email was posted on the TermPro Forum.

"To: All IASCA Judges, Competitors, Sanctioned Event Coordinators and Promoters
From: IASCA Worldwide Inc.
Subject: Hearing Protection Protocol.
Date: April 3, 2008

Since its inception, IASCA has promoted the "Practice Safe Sound" message. We feel it is absolutely essential to warn our constituency to the dangers of extreme SPL and the permanent hearing damage that could result in listening to such extreme SPL without protection. IASCA IdBL Rules, page IdBL-4, bullet point 1, identifies our corporate position regarding the use of hearing protection. When competing in any SPL format while sitting inside the vehicle, competitors MUST WEAR HEARING PROTECTION shielding their ears from sound pressure levels generated during competition. Systems capable of exceeding 150dB must be operated by external controls from outside of the vehicle.

Also the competitor's signature on the score sheet is a requirement, indicating their understanding and acceptance of IASCA's limitation of liability against personal injury. It has become evident that this policy is not being strictly applied and enforced by Judges and IASCA authorized promoters.

Our exposure last weekend to a YouTube video taken at an IASCA sanctioned event has left us astonished. It revealed a competitor sitting inside his vehicle during SPL competition, his windshield shattered due to an SPL level in excess of 150 dB, all the while WITHOUT WEARING HEARING PROTECTION. There is absolutely no excuse for this negligence. We have received a number of emails from concerned parties from as far away as Australia condemning this practice with the assumption that IASCA condones these actions. Nothing could be further from the truth; imagine our dismay. This video has prompted action by this association to re issue our mandates and circumvent any further violation of IASCA policy."