World

Canadian Woman Sets Guinness Record for Loudest Nose Whistle at 44.1 Decibels

By TOI Lifestyle Desk

LuLu Lotus, a Canadian woman, earned a place in the Guinness World Records for blowing a 44.1‑decibel whistle through her nose, the loudest nose whistle recorded. She first discovered her ability at age seven, using it to prank teachers and classmates. The sound was so mysterious that a teacher once entered the hallway to investigate. Lotus can produce melodic tones by controlling airflow with her throat muscles while keeping her mouth closed, a technique that allows her to whistle recognizable tunes such as the theme from The Godfather. Guinness compares the sound to a bird call, which has a similar decibel level.

Lotus was inspired to pursue the record after watching a documentary about DJ Steve Aoki, who holds a Guinness record for the most‑travelled musician in a year. She learned that Guinness has a category for the loudest nose whistle and began researching the requirements. Measuring a nose whistle requires specialised sound‑measuring equipment and a sound‑proofed room. She approached Aercoustics Engineering Ltd. in Mississauga, which agreed to let her attempt the record free of charge. On June 3, 2022, she secured the record using a calibrated Brüel & Kjær 2250 sound level meter.

The achievement is particularly meaningful to Lotus, who grew up reading the Guinness World Records and admired people with unusual abilities. She now shares her talent online, posting videos of herself whistling various songs. Lotus has expressed interest in breaking her own record in the future. Her five‑year‑old son has also learned to whistle through his nose, and she hopes he may one day surpass her record. The talent, which began as a childhood prank, has become a family tradition and a Guinness‑recorded skill.