Concert Season: Hearing Safety Tips for Summer Events
- August 15, 2024
Summer is concert season! There are tons of events and music festivals to go to, and it’s a wonderful way to enjoy the warmer weather. But concerts can affect hearing health. Current statistics reveal that around 10 million Americans have Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), which is often not treatable. That’s why taking preventative measures is so important.
At HearWell Services, we want you to enjoy your summer activities while protecting your ears. In this blog, we’ll offer essential hearing safety tips – from our certified team of professionals.
Are Outdoor Concerts Safe for Hearing?
Exposure to loud noise and music can result in temporary and even permanent deafness. In fact, many famous musicians have experienced permanent ear damage from long-term noise exposure. These include Sting, Barbra Streisand, Eric Clapton, and, shockingly, many more!
Sound is measured in decibels (dB), and exposure to sounds higher than 85 dB can affect your ears. To give you an idea, a concert is usually 105-120 dB. Keep in mind that even four hours of noise exposure over 84 dB can cause damage, while 120 dB can cause permanent damage to your ears in just a few minutes.
How Do You Prepare for a Loud Concert?
Firstly, understand the risks. Another great hearing safety tip is to keep your ears healthy by staying active, as exercise enhances blood circulation to your ears. You can also use ear protection. For example, there is a wide range of hearing aids for musicians and other devices that preserve sound so you can listen to music without damaging your ears. Check out our products online or chat with a member of our team for personalized recommendations and professional advice.
How to Protect Your Hearing During Concerts
- Distance: Consider the distance from speakers. Avoid being directly in front of the speakers, and rather situate yourself along the side or further back.
- Take Breaks: Limit your time in loud environments by taking frequent breaks. Chronic noise is less harmful than intermittent noise exposure.
- Wear Ear Protection: HearWell’s devices offer discreet, comfortable, and stylish ways to protect your ears.
- Limit Alcohol Consumption: Did you know it can impact your ears? Staying aware will also help keep you cognizant of any negative symptoms.
How to Heal Ears After Loud Noise?
Monitor your symptoms. If your ears feel full or you experience tinnitus (ringing in the ears), visit your audiologist as soon as possible. In some cases, NIHL can be fixed, but swift treatment is key.
Even if you don’t have symptoms, we recommend you have regular check-ups. This ensures you’re aware of your baseline. Your audiologist can quickly pick up problems with your hearing health and prevent them from escalating.
Hear Better with HearWell Services
Concerts and summer go hand in hand, but don’t let them affect you! If you’re a musician or a die-hard music fan, you’ll want to be able to enjoy your full range of hearing for the rest of your life.
Need a test? We come to you! Book your hearing assessment for expert solutions from a trusted team, and live life in full clarity for years to come.