‘Noisy’ Brit army bands ordered to wear earplugs to meet safety rules

LONDON - Army bandsmen in Britain have been asked to wear earplugs when they perform over health and safety concerns-but they are not liking as it makes them play out of tune and out of time.

All 1,100-soldier musicians have been ordered to yellow foam “ear defenders” to protect their hearing from the noise made by their bands.

However, angry bandsmen have said after wearing the earplug they can’t hear the music properly.

“You can hardly hear yourself let alone the rest of the band. It’s like listening to music underwater. Army music will be ruined for the sake of ’safety’ rules,” the Sun quoted a bandsman as saying.

The ruling applies to all members of Corps of Army Music and could see those attending the annual Trooping the Colour parade wearing the plugs.

A source added: “Many lads have been in Afghanistan where they cope with shattering explosions by sticking their fingers in their ears. If we have to turn up at a parade with little yellow earplugs, we’re going to be a laughing stock.”

The MoD said it enforced the rule “to protect musicians from noise-induced hearing loss”. (ANI)