Best Hearing Protection for Concerts

You went to a concert and now your ears won't stop ringing. You're wondering if your ears are okay and how to protect them in the future. The good news is that you don't have to give up music, even loud music, to protect your hearing. This blog post covers different options for hearing protection at concerts. Many of the same tips apply to other settings where you are exposed to loud noise.

Why Hard Rock Is Hard on Your Ears

Your ears are typically safe up to around 85 decibels for a few hours. Concerts can go up to 100 or 120 decibels. Sound at this volume damages the little hairs in your inner ear. Those hairs help you to hear. When they get damaged, they typically don't heal. Damaged ears can lead to hearing loss or tinnitus.

Types of Hearing Protection at Concerts

There are a few different types of hearing protection you can wear while you listen to live music:

• Foam earplugs. These are soft and comfortable but may block some of the music.
• Concert earplugs. These filtered earplugs give you better sound quality.
• Musician earplugs. These are pricey and custom-molded. They provide a nice balance of hearing protection and sound quality.
• Earmuffs. These often work great for kids. If you want to muffle more sound, try this type of concert ear protection.

If you want more hearing protection, go for the foam earplugs or earmuffs. If hearing the music is more important, consider the concert earplugs. And if budget isn't a consideration and you frequently attend concerts, the musician's earplugs might be your best option.

More Ways to Protect Your Hearing at Concerts

One of the best ways to protect your ears at concerts is to move away from the loud noise. Avoid standing too close to the speakers. Sometimes moving even a few yards away can help. Another thing you can do is to take breaks. Find a quieter spot to give your ears a rest. You can also use an app on your phone to measure the loudness of a concert. That way, you know when you are at risk for hearing loss.

When to See a Provider

See your Baptist Health audiologist if the ringing in your ears does not go away within a day or two. Any sudden change in your hearing is probably worth a check. If you do not have an audiologist, you can find one by visiting our provider directory.