Listening Standards You Can Expect
Bethany First Church strives to create a worship environment that is both comfortable and safe for all members of the congregation, staff, and guests. These are the standards you can expect for our services.
BFC Listening Standards
Sound Level Limits
To ensure a balanced sound during our worship services, we have established the following sound level limits based on a rolling 15-minute average:
Traditional Worship: 88 decibels (dB) LAEQ
Contemporary Worship: 94 decibels (dB) LAEQ
Bethany First Church documents sound pressure level readings in “A” weighted, slow response (dB A Slow). dB A Slow excludes low frequencies to provide a more realistic representation of the higher, more damaging, frequencies.
Equivalent Continuous Sound Pressure Level (LAeq) averages sound pressure level over time to provide the most accurate sound pressure level for the entirety of services at Bethany First Church.
Industry Standards
Our sound level guidelines are informed by the World Health Organization's Global Standard for Safe Listening, an internationally recognized framework for promoting safe listening practices. While we also consider the unique needs of worship services and our facility, this standard serves as an important foundation for our approach to creating a worship environment that is both engaging and safe.
Measuring the Sound
Sanctuary sound levels are measured regularly using a calibrated measurement microphone in conjunction with SMAART software. This allows accurate and consistent readings to be measured and collected. This system is calibrated each month.
Enhancing the Sound
We aim to provide clear and understandable sound during our worship services. Room design and installation of A/V equipment and sound-absorbing materials was completed by industry professionals as part of the 2020 Sanctuary Renewal.
Accommodating Preferences
We understand that each attender has unique sensitivities and preferences for sound levels. We provide two accommodation options during each worship experience:
1. Complimentary disposable earplugs are available at the Main Lobby Guest Check-In area for those who would like to use them.
2. There are several lobby areas and classrooms designated for viewing Sunday services. These areas are physically separate from the Sanctuary and provide an environment to enjoy the service at a lower volume.
Qualified Sound Engineers
At BFC, qualified sound engineers operate our sound system each week and promote safe listening. These experts take ongoing training seriously and stay up-to-date with the latest technology and best practices. We take our responsibility to create a safe worship environment very seriously and believe that the use of professional sound engineers is a critical aspect of achieving this goal.
We believe that by adhering to this sound level standard, we can create a worship environment that is comfortable and safe for everyone. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.