Learn how and why to keep your hearing protected at concerts, gigs and festivals over the summer.
Live music season is in full swing; from major festivals to local artists, thousands of music lovers are flocking to venues all around the UK to revel in the high vibe sounds of their favourite singers and bands.
Which is great – and a fantastic way to enjoy the summer. However, many people don’t realise the impact that this could be having on their hearing.
A 2022 BMJ study found that around the world, one billion people aged 12-34 are at risk of noise-induced hearing loss due to their attendance at loud music events (without adequate hearing protection). As a form of hearing loss that’s preventable, it’s crucial that people prioritise their hearing health.
What is noise-induced hearing loss?
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a form of sensorineural hearing loss that occurs because of overexposure to loud volumes, or a one-time traumatic event (such as an explosion). Prolonged exposure to sounds over 85 dB can cause permanent damage to the delicate structures in our inner ear, impacting the neural pathways that carry signals to our brain which are then registered as sound. The louder the sound, the less time exposure it takes to cause harm to our hearing; a sound at 115 dB such as a jet engine or a loud music concert has the potential to significantly harm hearing in less than 30 seconds.
After age-related factors, exposure to loud noises is the second biggest cause of hearing loss. It can also go hand in hand with tinnitus, with over-exposure to loud volumes triggering this debilitating condition. With 81% of festival goers admitting that they often leave events with their ears ringing, it’s no surprise that so many attendees are leaving festivals with more than they bargained for.
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How can you protect your hearing at festivals and live music events?
One of the best things that you can do in your pre-concert preparation is ensure that your hearing is going to be protected throughout the event. According to research of 2,000 UK based adults, commissioned by Specsavers and conducted by Perspectus Global in June 2023, almost half of those surveyed (46%) were convinced that their hearing has been damaged because of the loud noise. Yet, a recent poll carried out by EDM.com also found that 49% of music festival attendees do not wear ear protection.
While the damage may not be immediately noticeable, numerous exposures to high levels of noise over a lifetime can land you with irreversible hearing damage that could have been prevented. Some of the ways that you can intentionally prevent that damage are:
1. Take (and wear!) ear plugs.
Foam or silicone ear plugs are a good choice and will protect your hearing somewhat, but the best protection comes from custom made ear plugs. These are form-fitting in your ear canals and will filter sound without reducing sound quality and still providing ear protection. Modern hearing protection can even reduce volume levels by 20 dB +, making the experience altogether more enjoyable and vastly reducing your risk level.
And it isn’t just attendees that benefit from wearing ear plugs; famous musicians wear them on stage too. From Eric Clapton, to Sting and Paul Stanley, musicians are becoming more vocal about their need to wear protection for their hearing while performing due to the impact that noise has had on their hearing over the years.
For more information on different types of ear plug, visit this website.
2. Choose where you want to stand.
Creating distance between yourself and the source of sound can be incredibly beneficial. The closer you are to the speakers, the worse the risk to your hearing. Whether you’re at an outdoor festival or an edgy underground music venue, think about where you want to sit or stand to reduce volume levels. As a rule of thumb, you want to be further than 3m away from any speakers.
3. Take regular breaks.
Short but sweet breaks – between 10 to 15 minutes – away from exposure to loud noise can help hearing loss prevention. Essentially, you want to give your ears a break. Pop to the loo or the bar. If you’re at a festival, go and explore or take a quiet moment back at the tent. If you can scatter these pauses throughout the event, your long-term hearing will really thank you.
4. Keep track of how loud it really is.
How loud actually is the event? Luckily, you don’t need to rely on your best judgement to figure out the answer. Your smartphone can measure dB to determine if your environment exposes you to harmful noises that may cause permanent or temporary NIHL. Once you know the answer, you adjust how long you can spend surrounded by that noise accordingly.
5. Get your hearing checked.
A crucial tip is to get your hearing checked – and regularly!
“Early intervention for hearing loss allows your auditory pathway and your brain to remain active – this can, in turn, delay deterioration. With the enormous body of evidence showing the links between untreated hearing loss and conditions such as dementia or poor mental health, the sooner you can get the appropriate support for your hearing, the better,” says Paul Surridge, Chairman of BIHIMA.
Hearing loss can develop gradually, whether through noise exposure or a genetic condition. If you can identify your risks early, you can take steps to reduce the impact.
Here at BIHIMA, our aim is to raise the awareness of hearing loss and the impact it has on society. Our members’ aim is to invest in research and development to ensure hearing instruments are designed and manufactured using the latest technology, to positively change the lives of people with hearing loss. Find out more about our latest data, research and news on best practice here.
