Noise levels in some restaurants are so high that it can be like eating next to a lawn mower according to a new study.
The charity Action on Hearing Loss says many people are turning to takeaways because they say dining out can be too noisy.
The charity says not being able to hear conversations can be isolating especially for those with hearing loss.
Too much noise isn't a problem a for one restaurant, they installed a special ceiling that absorbs sound.
On busy nights restaurant sound levels reach more than 90 decibels. Credit: ITV NewsAccording to noise levels measured by the charity Action on Hearing Loss, on busy nights restaurant sound levels reached more than 90 decibels.
That is the equivalent of having a meal next to a lawnmower or roadworks.
They also found that:
You can download an app to measure the sound level in a restaurant. Credit: ITV NewsThe Action on Hearing Loss charity wants to make noise in restaurants an issue. They want diners to let the restaurant know how well they are doing.
These days that is very easy to do, there are apps the you can download onto your phone that will tell you how loud it is where you are.
The charity says according to their research, lowering noise levels would make restaurants more attractive to diners.
They're also more likely to stay longer in quieter environments and so spend more money, which makes sound economic sense.
