Does Going to Festivals and Concerts Cause Hearing Loss?
As a fan of festivals and concerts, I often get asked this important question by festival-goers and their concerned parents. The short answer is yes—but it depends on three key factors: the duration of exposure to loud music, the volume of the music, and whether you are wearing any form of ear protection.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) recommends a safe noise exposure limit of 85 dB over eight hours. To put this into perspective, 85 dB is roughly the level of a hairdryer. A general rule of thumb is that for every 3 dB increase in volume, the safe exposure time is halved. Here is a quick reference guide:
Table 1: The NIOSH Guidelines for noise exposure
Since most festivals and nightclubs can reach volumes of 100 dB or more, it only takes about 15 minutes of exposure at these levels to potentially cause hearing loss.
To protect your hearing, consider these strategies:
Stand further away from speakers to reduce your exposure to high volumes.
Wear earplugs. Custom earplugs with special filters can reduce harmful noise levels while preserving sound quality, allowing you to enjoy the music safely.
If you are interested in discussing custom earplugs or feel that your hearing has been affected by loud events, get in touch with Barclay Winter Audiology today. Protect your ears so you can keep enjoying the music for years to come!
