Summer in Huntsville means concerts and music festivals, full of energy and excitement. If you’ve ever attended a live music event in person, be it rock and roll, R&B or bluegrass, you know the atmosphere is wild and exciting…and loud. Let’s discuss how to enjoy these events to the fullest while still protecting your hearing.
What Is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?
As the name suggests, noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is hearing loss caused by exposure to excessive sound levels. NIHL can happen at any age, and it’s estimated that at least 10 million people under the age of 70 suffer from NIHL.
Sounds at or above 85 dB can damage hearing. For reference, a normal conversation is usually between 60 and 70 dB. Sound waves at and above 85 dB are large and forceful, causing physical harm to the delicate cells in our inner ears. The louder the sound, the sooner damage begins.
How Loud Do Concerts Get?
Concerts, with their speaker stacks and instruments and screaming fans, come in around or above 110 dB. That’s already loud, and when you factor in that some events take hours or even days, that’s a lot of noise exposure.
How Can I Prevent Hearing Damage from Loud Noise?
The good news is that, while irreversible, NIHL is completely preventable. Here are some precautions you can take to protect your hearing at the next concert.
- Be strategic with your seat. Keep a distance from any speakers or amplifiers.
- Use hearing protection. Disposable foam earplugs, custom musician’s earplugs and even earmuffs are incredibly effective at dampening sound and diminishing the force of sound waves that reach your inner ears.
- Take breaks. Allow your ears to rest and recover by finding a quiet area of the concert venue, away from any speakers or noisy people.
- Rest your ears afterward. In the days after the concert, try to stay in quiet environments and don’t turn the volume on personal entertainment devices too loud to allow your ears time to recuperate.
- Check out accommodations. If you already have hearing loss, check whether the concert venue is ADA-compliant and what measures they take for guests with hearing loss. Check the venue’s website or call customer service to find out about loop systems, captioning, designated seating or any other accommodation you may need.
When Should I See an Audiologist?
Any changes in your hearing should warrant a hearing check with an audiologist. You may notice changes such as muffled or distorted hearing, mishearing words, ringing in your ears, not hearing people speak to you or sensitivity to loud noise. All of these indicate that some amount of damage has been done to your hearing, even if your hearing returns to normal after a few days.
Call us at North Alabama ENT Associates to schedule a hearing test. We can determine the extent of the damage.