Guinness World Records has recognised Joseph McGrail-Bateup, a professional air conditioner cleaner and Canberra’s official (honorary) town crier, as the world’s loudest person. The 58-year-old recorded the loudest ever shout by an individual, with a yell of “now” measured at 122.4 decibels. The record is reported to have been acknowledged by Guinness last week, with the shout being submitted after a formal recording process.
The new mark surpasses the previous record of 121.7 dB set in 1994 by Northern Ireland teacher Annalisa Flanagan. In that earlier attempt, Flanagan yelled “quiet.” Across the reports, the measurement of 122.4 dB is described as extremely loud and in a range associated with potential hearing risk.
One outlet notes it is the second Guinness record for McGrail-Bateup, who previously set a speed record for an archer in 2019. Sources also say the shout was recorded on May 2 in a Canberra radio studio using equipment and witnesses, and that McGrail-Bateup previously considered himself the loudest man rather than the loudest person, given the way records were listed.
