2026-06-24 13:06:51
Scolding the kids, hailing a cab or celebrating during the World Cup are all instances where you might expect to hear some shouting.
And even though you might think it’s loud, it doesn’t remotely compare to the below of Australian man Joseph McGrail-Bateup, who has been crowed the world’s loudest person.
The 58-year-old air conditioner cleaner from Canberra has been acknowledged by the Guinness World Records as having the loudest ever shout by an individual – yelling the word “now” at a staggering 122.4 decibels.
It compares to the noise levels of a jet plane taking off, or an ambulance siren at close range.
The record was broken for the first time since 1994, when Northern Irish teacher Annalisa Flanagan had shouted “quiet” at 121.7 decibels.
Speaking about his record, Joseph, who is also an honorary town crier, told the Associated Press that he hadn’t done any practising ahead of the day itself, when he just went for it.
He said: “There’s no way that you can actually practice for it. You have to just keep it for the day, especially with the world record attempt,” McGrail-Bateup said.
“It took me seven attempts just for one word, which was the word ‘now,’ and my voice was shot for the next couple of days as well. It was husky. It was terrible. So no, you can’t really practice for it. But it’s a lot of fun when you’re doing it!”
Despite getting the record, Joseph said he considers himself the world’s loudest MAN, rather than person.
He added: “I’m pleased that she (Flanagan) gets to keep her record. So she’s still the loudest woman in the world and I’m the loudest male in the world.”
Joseph’s shout was recorded in a Canberra radio studio by a professional acoustic engineer, with witnesses present, on 2 May (26).
The files from the session were then sent to the Guinness World Records, who announced Joseph’s new record this week.
Somewhat strangely, it’s the second time Joseph has broken a world record, after doing so in 2019 when he shot 10 arrows in 60.03 seconds – breaking a record that had stood since 2015.
Joseph’s pride was short-lived, however, as nine months later his record was broken by a seven-year-old boy, who was 11.4 seconds faster.
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