It’s often exciting to watch your favorite band play on stage live and get lost in the energy of the crowd. If you’re not careful, however, the loud music can damage your hearing. While you may not think much of it at first, pushing through ear pain or discomfort, can contribute to hearing loss. Here are some audiologist-approved tips for protecting your ears as a frequent concertgoer.

How to Protect Your Ears at a Loud Concert

1. Take Frequent Breaks

Audiologists estimate that people can listen to sounds of 91 dB for about two hours without risking hearing loss. Since this time will decrease as the levels go up, it’s important to take a break a least once or twice in a two-hour span. Take some time to grab some food between sets or visit the restroom during your least favorite song or two to give your ears a break.

You can also increase the time between breaks by not standing near any speakers. If you’re directly in the path, it is going to give you the greatest exposure to damaging sounds. If there aren’t assigned seats, pay attention to the speaker locations and stand toward the back and to the side of the device.

2. Wear Ear Protection

Some concerts can reach up to 120 dB, which is well past the level that can damage hearing. Since this can take a toll on your ears, audiologists will often recommend wearing earplugs or over-the-ear noise-cancelling headphones to muffle the sound. 

Silicone or foam earplugs can often be found in pharmacies and larger grocery stores if you just need a pair for the day. If you are a frequent concertgoer, you may want to invest a bit more money in a pair of custom earpieces to safeguard your hearing without sacrificing the sound quality.  

3. Limit Alcohol Consumption

Many concert venues will serve alcohol to thirsty attendees, but it’s important to drink in moderation. Alcohol raises blood flow to the inner ear, which can increase the chances of tinnitus—a ringing sound in the ear. If this continues after going to a concert, you’ll want to schedule a hearing test to avoid any further complications.

If you want to schedule a hearing test after a loud concert, the professionals at Heartland Better Hearing can help. For years, the Elizabethtown, KY, community has come to them to solve their hearing problems. Hearing tests, hearing aids, phones, door beacons, alarm clocks, and TV ears are a few of the services and products you’ll have at your disposal when you work with these experts. Call (270) 735-9352 or visit their website for more information.