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Music festivals and concerts are fun, wild, and can get really loud. It is a place where you can enjoy the music from your favourite genres, hang out with old and new friends, and discover new music. However, these venues can also be the setting for a sneaky danger—noise damage.
Hearing problems are common for those who constantly attend concerts, sports games, festivals, or other loud events. While many people, the young ones and teenagers most especially, disregard the risks of attending such events without protective hearing devices, they might come to regret that decision later in life.
Using earplugs at a concert may be counterintuitive. After all, you want to hear the music loud and clear, right? However, musicians and experts have recently started a campaign warning concert-goers how loud music can cause permanent hearing loss or noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Researchers have concluded that even just a few hours of exposure to loud music without any protection can have adverse effects on hearing. That is why it is important to protect yourself from harm. Wear earplugs when you go to a concert or music events.
It may look odd wearing earplugs during a concert, but with the ones specifically designed for concerts, you’ll get to have more fun and enjoy the music without having to worry about any negative effects loud music can cause.
Have you ever noticed how after you come home from a concert, you would have ringing ears or you hear a muffled sound? In some cases, it goes away after a few days, but sometimes one loud concert is all it takes for a lifetime of hearing loss.
So how loud is too loud? Noise-induced hearing loss is the most common cause of deafness. Your risk is greatly related to how long you are exposed to the noise, how close you are to it, and how loud the noise is. Normal conversations are about 65 decibels (dB) and anything under 75 dB is pretty safe. However, continuous exposure to loud noise (85 dB and above) will cause permanent damage to your ears.
Rock concerts can generate as high as 100 dB to 120 dB (equivalent to that of a chainsaw sound), and a blast of noise beyond 110 dB can instantly hurt your ears. Your risk of developing tinnitus is higher. This type of hearing loss is irreversible and will impair your daily life for good. Protect your ears during concerts by wearing earplugs specifically designed for such an occasion.
Good quality earplugs come down to four key features—comfort, looks, sound reduction, and sound quality. Foam earplugs are not perfectly fitted and tend to be uncomfortable and flimsy. While they can be more affordable and disposable, the frustration from using them defeats the whole purpose as most people take them off halfway through the concert. To ensure the best experience and protection, purchase permanent earplugs for concert and festival’s use.
Fraser Valley Beltone offers Noise/Ear Protection Custom ear defenders, Doc’s Pro Plugs and high fidelity musicians’ plugs perfect for any concert-goers. Check out our website and browse through our products. Protect your ears and save your life.
If you are looking to learn more about the causes of hearing loss, visit our audiologist in Langley for a free consultation.