Here's How to Keep Our Ears Safe During Festival Season
Whether it’s Rock am Ring, a festival in the park, or Hurricane: Festival season is here! It’s going to be loud, no matter what. The goal is to get through the summer with your ears in one piece. Read here to find out how.
With the start of summer, festival season is once again in full swing. With so many different events—whether rock, hip-hop, or pop—it’s all about one thing: enjoying the music. And that comes in the form of great bands presenting their latest work and thrilling fans with their most beloved classics. Live. As loud and authentic as possible.
Ambient noise blends with the sound from the outdoor stages, often reaching levels far exceeding the 80 decibels that our ears can tolerate over the long term. Of course, no one wants to think about that amid all the excited anticipation, but as the saying goes, better safe than sorry. Because without the right protection, music that’s too loud can quickly cause permanent hearing damage over time—and then, eventually, even your favorite music won’t be any fun anymore.
3 Simple Tips for Enjoying the Festival Without Hearing Loss
- Of course, it’s most exciting right up close, but be careful: as a general rule, you shouldn’t stand too close to the stage speakers—not even when your absolute favorite artist is performing. Incidentally, the acoustics are usually better anyway when you’re at an even distance from the speakers and centered relative to the main stage.
- In addition to your festival ticket, tent, and good spirits, you should also remember to pack the necessary hearing protection. The right earplugs reduce the volume without compromising the quality of the music. And they have a double benefit: they also help you get a little sleep at night.
- Last but not least, it’s a good idea to take a break from the music every now and then to give your ears a rest.
If your ears still feel somewhat blocked when you get home, and you feel pressure in your ears, sudden hearing loss may be the cause. In that case, you should act quickly and have a trusted ENT doctor take a look at your ears.
For more information on hearing protection, see our article “Protecting Your Ears—the Right Way.”
