Australian town crier crowned as world’s loudest person, at 122.4 decibels

Joseph McGrail-Bateup, an Australian professional air conditioner cleaner and honorary town crier, has been recognised as the world’s loudest person.

Guinness World Records last week acknowledged the 58-year-old Canberra resident recorded the loudest ever shout by an individual. He yelled “now” at 122.4 decibels.

That broke the previous record of 121.7 dB set by Northern Ireland teacher Annalisa Flanagan in 1994.

She had yelled an ear-piercing “quiet”.

That is in the noise range of a chainsaw, a jet aircraft taking off and an ambulance siren at close range.

The record attempt was not something McGrail-Bateup could train for, he said on Tuesday.