Exposure to loud noise is one of the leading causes of hearing loss. This can include noises from riding motorcycles, hunting and going to rock concerts. The good news is that there are ways to protect your hearing while still getting to participate in all the activities you enjoy.
What is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?
Repeated exposure to noise above 85 decibels (dB) (which is roughly the same volume as city traffic) can cause noise-induced hearing loss.
This can happen because of sudden exposure to an extremely loud sound one time or during repeated exposure to sounds at a louder volume over a period of time.
A rock concert can easily get into the 100-120 dB range. This is why it’s common to experience ear problems after taking in a live show, such as:
- Temporary hearing loss
- Muffled hearing
- Full feeling in ears
- Ear pain
- Tinnitus (ringing in ear)
Eventually, after enough exposure, these problems can go from temporary to permanent, which is why using earplugs to protect your ears is so important.
Do Earplugs Work?
A 2016 study looked at concertgoers in Amsterdam where half were given earplugs to wear, and the other half were not. Researchers found that those who did not wear earplugs during the event experienced higher rates of temporary hearing loss and tinnitus than those who wore them.
Specifically:
- With earplugs: 8% experienced hearing loss and 12% tinnitus
- Without earplugs: 42% experienced hearing loss and 40% tinnitus
Choosing the Right Type
Regular foam earplugs can be used to protect your ears during a concert. The upside to them is that they are cheap and widely available. However, they work by muffling sounds. This means the sound quality will not be as good.
A better option might be to select custom earplugs. These are built to fit the shape of your ears, provide comfort, durability and are made to be re-used.
Best of all these can be customized for an optimal music-listening experience. They are able to lower the volume to a safe level without compromising the quality of the music. If you are someone who enjoys frequent concerts at The Mill & Mine, custom earplugs may be a worthy investment.
For more information about how to protect your hearing or to schedule an appointment, call Foothills ENT today.