Guinness World Records has named Joseph McGrail-Bateup the world's loudest person after he reached a volume of 122.4 decibels [1].
The achievement marks the first time the record has been broken since 1994 [3], highlighting the rare physiological ability to produce extreme vocal volume without damaging the throat.
McGrail-Bateup, 58, is a professional air-conditioner cleaner and an honorary town crier from Canberra, Australia [2]. He secured the title during a town-crier demonstration when he shouted the word “now” [4]. The volume was measured and verified by Guinness officials to confirm the new global benchmark [1].
The previous record stood at 121.7 decibels [3]. That mark was established in 1994 [3], meaning the title had remained unchanged for over three decades until the recent demonstration in Canberra [2].
Town criers historically served as the primary method of communicating news to the public in town squares. While the role is now largely honorary, the requirement for projection remains central to the tradition. McGrail-Bateup's ability to surpass the previous record by 0.7 decibels places him at the top of the global rankings for human vocal projection [1, 3].
Officials from Guinness World Records said the result was confirmed this week, finalizing the transition of the title to the Australian resident [2]. The event took place in Canberra, where the demonstration was staged to test the limits of human shouting [2].
“Joseph McGrail-Bateup reached a volume of 122.4 decibels.”
The breaking of a record that stood since 1994 demonstrates the rarity of extreme vocal projection. Because decibels are measured on a logarithmic scale, even a small numerical increase represents a significant jump in actual sound pressure, cementing McGrail-Bateup's position as a physiological outlier in human acoustics.
