Going to outdoor concerts at The Orion Amphitheater is a summer must. When you last attended a concert, you probably noticed the sheer volume of the sound blasting through the speakers. That volume immerses you in the music, but it can reach levels above 110 dBA, which is well past the threshold for hearing damage.1
Let’s look at a few types of earplugs you can wear to minimize your risk of hearing damage at your next concert.
Disposable Earplugs
Disposable earplugs are usually made of soft foam. When you squish the foam between your fingers and place the plug in your ear, the foam will expand to form a seal to block out sound.
Disposable earplugs are a great option if you only attend the occasional concert.
Pre-Molded Earplugs
Pre-molded earplugs are made of silicone, rubber or plastic. They’re more durable than disposable plugs and can be used repeatedly. One helpful type of pre-molded plugs for music lovers is a high-fidelity option. High-fidelity earplugs have special filters that uniformly lower the volume across all pitches, almost as if you’re simply turning the volume down.
If you attend a lot of concerts, consider high-fidelity music earplugs.
Custom Earplugs
Custom earplugs are specially molded to fit your exact ear shape. They offer a better seal than their one-size-fits-all counterparts. You can also get custom high-fidelity earplugs to enjoy supreme protection and better sound.
You will need to get a professional earmold taken for custom plugs. Because the plugs are made to order, try to order them well in advance of your next concert. If you can’t get your earplugs in time, a disposable pair is an excellent and inexpensive option while you wait for your custom pair.
Schedule a Hearing Test
Earplugs will significantly lower your risk of hearing loss, but frequent concertgoers should still get their hearing tested regularly. Contact North Alabama ENT Associates to schedule your test with one of our specialists.
Sources:
1 National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. (2025, April 16). Noise-induced hearing loss. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss