Almost half of potential diners (43%) have opted for a takeaway instead of eating out because of restaurants’ increasingly intrusive background noise, a survey commissioned by UK charity Action on Hearing Loss has found.
The online survey of 1200 members of the general public also found that the optimum acoustic environment for eating out for 70% of people was some conversational buzz and a low level of background noise at a level which enabled them to still hear their companions.
Research conducted by the charity in 2016 had also found that 90% of survey respondents would not return to a venue they found too noisy.
This follows news that critics at the Good Food Guide had also noted that a growing number of restaurants are putting customers off by “deafening them with Glastonbury-force songs”, which is being exacerbated by “bare-bones” interior design.
Ahead of The London Restaurant show in October, the charity’s Speak Easy campaign is calling on restaurants, bars and cafes to take action on background noise to enable better communication for patrons.
Paul Breckell, Chief Executive at Action on Hearing Loss, said: “These results really demonstrate the business case for restaurants putting some real consideration into their acoustics. Everyone loves going out for a meal but with an increasing variety of takeaway options and the intrusive background noise levels exacerbated by fashionable hard surfaces, it’s no wonder customers are opting to stay in. It’s entirely reasonable for customers to expect to hear companions sat opposite them.
“We want to work with restaurants to demonstrate not only that becoming accessible doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult, but also that there is much to be gained from doing so.”
The charity launched a guide for restaurants which outlines ways to be more accessible to customers with hearing loss, from reducing the volume of background music, using soft furnishings that better absorb sound to investing in acoustic treatments.
Members of public are also being encouraged by the charity to join its #DecibelSquad and proactively give feedback to restaurant on their noise levels using a free app – either by contacting them directly through social media or by leaving reviews on Trip Advisor.
Action on Hearing Loss invites restaurants to visit it’s at The London Restaurant Show between 2 – 4 October at the Olympia in London, where staff and volunteers will be offering advice to restauranteurs and demonstrating the effects of acoustic treatment.
For more information and to download the guide, please visit: www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/speakeasy.
