Tinnitus and ear ringing after a concert or loud music

Attending a concert and enjoying loud music can be thrilling. However, experiencing a muffled hearing and ringing in one year afterward, known as tinnitus, could indicate that you were too near the speakers. This ringing occurs when the loud sound damages the delicate hair cells in your ears. Discover here all you need to know about ears ringing after a concert.

What causes ringing in the ears after loud music?

Exposure to loud music at concerts or other environments can harm the small hairs in your inner ears. These hairs vibrate in response to sound and convey it to your brain, which interprets it. If damaged, they may send incorrect signals. In response, your brain creates a sound to compensate for these erroneous signals, leading to the perception of a ringing noise when no actual sound exists. Noise-induced hearing loss can be diagnosed with audiograms and hearing tests.

Symptoms of ear damage from loud noise

Symptoms of ear damage from loud noise include:

Ringing, hissing, or roaring in the ears, often occurring right after loud noise exposure.
Hearing Loss: This can be temporary or permanent and tends to develop gradually. It's often noticed when you need to speak louder to be heard.
Ear Fullness: A feeling of pressure or fullness in the ears.
Speech Comprehension Issues: Trouble understanding speech, particularly in noisy settings, where you might not hear or understand someone 3 feet away.
Hyperacusis: An increased sensitivity to loud sounds.
Dizziness or Balance Issues: These can occur in more severe cases.
Muffled Hearing: Speech might sound muffled or dull once you leave a noisy area.

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How long does ringing last after a concert?

If you've had ear ringing after loud music, it usually goes away by the next day. Typically, tinnitus from after a concert resolves within 16 to 48 hours, but in severe cases, it might last a week or two, depending on the decibel level and duration of exposure. If the ringing persists for 4 days post-concert, it might indicate tinnitus or damage to the sensory hair cells in the cochlea of the inner ear. The sound experienced can vary, affecting one or both ears and can be constant or intermittent, loud or soft.

Should you still experience tinnitus 3 weeks after the concert, it's advisable to seek professional advice and have a hearing test. Tinnitus lasting two weeks or more may be considered chronic or permanent. Constant ringing after the concert requires professional advice.

How to stop ringing in ears after concert

While there's no established medical cure for tinnitus, there are methods to stop ears ringing after loud music.

1. Reduce Loud Noise Exposure

An essential step is to give your ears a break by lowering the volume of your surroundings, like your TV and headphones. Avoiding loud environments like concerts, clubs, or bars is also recommended until your condition improves.

2. Distraction Techniques

Avoid complete silence as background noise can help distract you from the ringing. Listening to soft music or watching a favourite movie can aid relaxation. Additionally, practising meditation or yoga can help reduce the stress associated with tinnitus.

3. Use White Noise

During the day, various activities can distract you from tinnitus. However, at night, white noise can be beneficial in masking the ringing, aiding in better sleep.

4. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Adopting a healthy lifestyle can improve tinnitus symptoms. Regular exercise, especially low-impact activities like yoga or Pilates, can relieve stress and potentially lessen tinnitus. Avoiding stimulants like alcohol, caffeine, and salt, and quitting smoking is advised, as cigarettes can worsen tinnitus by affecting blood flow to nerve cells in the brain.

Ear plugs for concerts: how to protect ears at a concert

If you are consistently exposing yourself to loud noises and noticing the effects considerably, then you should be considering what direction you can take to protect your hearing, whilst still being able to enjoy concerts or festivals.

One of the most effective solutions is to invest in some custom earplugs for concerts. Although regular ear plugs still work to an extent. If you are an avid concert goer check out our guides and tips to find the best concert ear protection and pick the solution to your ears. Children and babies might need tailored solutions. If you want to learn more about the benefits of children's earplugs, check out our dedicated article.

Doctor performing hearing level assessment in the office

How to go to a concert without damaging your ears?

Attending concerts can be a thrilling experience, but the loud music can pose a significant risk to your hearing. Here are some practical tips to enjoy live music without damaging your ears:

Use Ear Protection: Invest in high-quality earplugs designed for concerts. These earplugs reduce the volume of the music without distorting its quality. Custom musician earplugs are a good option, as they provide better sound quality and fit comfortably.
Choose Your Spot Wisely: Avoid standing close to the speakers or stage, as the sound levels are highest in these areas. Instead, position yourself towards the back or sides of the venue where the sound is less intense.
Take Breaks: Give your ears a rest by taking short breaks away from the loud music. This can help reduce the overall exposure to high decibel levels and give your auditory system time to recover.
Monitor Sound Levels: Use a smartphone app to measure the sound levels around you. This can help you stay aware of when the noise exceeds safe listening levels, generally considered to be anything above 85 decibels for prolonged periods.
Be Aware of Symptoms: If you experience ringing, muffled hearing, or pain in your ears during or after a concert, it is a sign that the noise level is too high. In such cases, move further away from the sound source or use earplugs immediately.

By taking these precautions, you can enjoy the concert experience while protecting your hearing for the future. For more detailed advice and personalized recommendations, consider consulting with an audiologist.

How can I protect my ears from excessive noise?

Protecting your ears from excessive noise is crucial to prevent hearing damage. Here are some effective strategies:

Use Ear Protection: Invest in earplugs or earmuffs, especially in noisy environments like concerts, construction sites, or when using loud machinery. Custom earplugs offer better sound quality and comfort.
Limit Exposure Time: Reduce the time you spend in noisy environments. Take regular breaks in quieter areas to give your ears a rest. The longer the exposure to loud noise, the greater the risk of permanent hearing damage.
Maintain Safe Volumes: When listening to music through headphones or earphones, keep the volume at a safe level. Follow the 60/60 rule: listen at no more than 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.
Use Noise-Canceling Headphones: These can help reduce the need to turn up the volume in noisy settings by blocking out background noise.
Be Aware of Noise Levels: Use smartphone apps to monitor the noise levels in your environment. Sounds above 85 decibels can be harmful, especially with prolonged exposure.

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing loss and protect your auditory health.

How to protect your ears at concerts?

Protecting your ears at concerts is essential to avoid long-term hearing damage. Here are some effective strategies:

Wear Earplugs: Invest in high-fidelity earplugs designed for music events. These earplugs reduce sound levels evenly, preserving music quality while protecting your ears from harmful decibels. Studies show that concertgoers wearing earplugs significantly reduce their risk of hearing loss compared to those who do not use protection.
Maintain Distance from Speakers: Position yourself away from the speakers and stage where sound levels are highest. Standing at least 500 feet away from the sound source can help minimize exposure to excessive noise.
Take Breaks: Give your ears a rest by stepping outside or moving to quieter areas during the concert. Short breaks can help prevent cumulative hearing damage caused by prolonged exposure to loud music.
Use Sound Level Monitoring Apps: Utilize smartphone apps to monitor the decibel levels around you. This can help you stay aware of potentially dangerous noise levels and take action to protect your hearing.

By following these tips, you can enjoy live music while safeguarding your auditory health. For more personalized advice, consult with an audiologist who can provide tailored recommendations based on your hearing needs.

How do performers protect their ears?

Performers take several measures to protect their ears from the high noise levels encountered during performances.

One of the primary methods is the use of custom-fitted in-ear monitors (IEMs). These devices not only provide clear sound directly to the ears but also act as earplugs to block out excessive ambient noise, reducing the risk of hearing damage.
Additionally, performers often use sound level monitoring to ensure that the volume levels remain within safe limits. They might employ apps or devices that measure decibel levels, allowing them to make necessary adjustments in real-time.
Another strategy is taking regular breaks to give their ears a rest. This can help mitigate the cumulative effects of prolonged exposure to loud sounds. For example, musicians often have scheduled intervals during rehearsals and performances to step away from the noise.
Lastly, many performers consult with audiologists to receive personalized advice and hearing protection solutions. Audiologists can create custom earplugs and provide guidance on best practices for maintaining auditory health in high-noise environments.

By incorporating these practices, performers can enjoy their careers while minimizing the risk of hearing loss.

Children and baby's ear protections for concerts and loud events

The picture of the US Olympic swimmer Caeleb Dressel, celebrating the US' success in the 4x100 relay at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with his son in his arms while overwhelmed and in tears became viral. Everybody noticed that the cute toddler was wearing an oversized pair of baby ear protection. Children are particularly sensitive to loud noises, so it's crucial to protect their hearing with solutions specifically designed for them.

Noise-Cancelling Headphones: There are noise-cancelling headphones available for children and infants, suitable for various situations. These headphones reduce unwanted noise with padded ear cups that fit around the ears without exerting pressure on the head.
Kids' earplugs: Earplugs are also available for children. Standard earplugs are not recommended as they are often designed for adult ear canals. It's better to opt for custom-fitted earplugs, though they may need frequent adjustments due to the rapid growth of children's ear canals.

These protective measures, designed for their small ears, will help preserve their hearing sensitivity. They allow children to enjoy shows, concerts, and events like the Olympic Games alongside their parents, without risking their hearing.

How can I protect my hearing at sporting events?

Protecting your hearing at sporting events involves several key strategies. The NHS recommends using earplugs, which can significantly reduce noise levels without affecting the quality of the sound you hear. High-fidelity earplugs are particularly effective and can be purchased from pharmacies or online retailers.

Selecting seats further from the loudspeakers and the main action can also help minimize noise exposure. According to Action on Hearing Loss, taking regular breaks in quieter areas, such as the concourse or restrooms, provides relief from continuous loud noise.

It's helpful to use smartphone apps like Decibel X or Sound Meter to monitor the noise levels around you. The NHS advises that noise levels above 85 decibels can be harmful over extended periods, so keeping track of the sound can help you make informed decisions about when to use ear protection or take breaks.

Raising awareness about hearing protection and encouraging others to take similar precautions can create a safer environment. Regular hearing check-ups with an audiologist are recommended to ensure any potential damage is detected early.

Amplifon's Ampli-Protect ear protections

Earplugs are the best allies in these situations. There are models available for adults, versions for children, and high-end options that filter noise without compromising sound quality. The Ampli-Protect range from Amplifon is designed to provide unparalleled comfort and optimal protection, fitting perfectly in the ears. Whether you are a sports enthusiast, a competitor, or exposed to high noise levels, this range of custom-fit earplugs will meet your specific needs.

Sports and hearing loss: the most dangerous sports for your ears

Stadiums are extremely noisy environments, especially during major events like the Olympic Games. The noise from fans, public announcements, and simultaneous events can create a constant and high sound level. Athletes and spectators can be exposed to noise levels exceeding 100 dB for prolonged periods. It is essential to use hearing protection, such as earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones, to reduce noise and enjoy the atmosphere without compromising hearing.

Guns and shooting Sports

Shooting sports are among the loudest, with gunshots reaching up to 160 dB, a sound level capable of causing immediate and irreversible hearing damage. Shooters are often exposed to these loud detonations repeatedly, increasing the risk of hearing loss. The solution? Specially designed hearing protection for shooting that can effectively attenuate noise without compromising the ability to hear necessary commands and signals for safety.

Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics

Though less obvious, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics expose athletes to high sound levels. The loud music used during training and competitions, often in indoor environments where sound echoes, can reach dangerous levels. Athletes can protect themselves by using earplugs designed for music, which reduce harmful sounds while maintaining sound quality, allowing them to protect their hearing without compromising performance.

Contact Sports: Rugby, Boxing, and Karate

Contact sports such as boxing, karate, and rugby carry risks of hearing trauma due to blows to the head, which can damage the inner ear structures. Repeated impacts can lead to progressive hearing loss or conditions like tinnitus. Using protective helmets with adequate ear coverage can reduce the impact of blows and protect athletes' hearing.

Swimming and Water Sports

Swimmers and athletes in water sports like diving and synchronized swimming face different hearing risks. Water can enter the ears, causing infections such as swimmer’s ear (otitis externa). The chlorine in pools can also irritate the ear canal. To prevent these issues, it is advisable to use waterproof earplugs designed for these sports, which prevent water entry while allowing good perception of ambient sounds.

FAQs about concert tinnitus

Can ears recover from loud music?

Typically, normal hearing returns within a few hours to a few days after exposure to loud noise. This recovery is because the hair cells in the ear, like blades of grass, bend more under louder sounds but can straighten out again during a recovery period. However, excessive loud noise can permanently damage some of these hair cells. Ears generally can recover from exposure to loud noises, and muffled hearing after a concert is often temporary. Occasional loud noise exposure can cause temporary tinnitus. Ringing accompanied by muffled hearing may also signal noise-induced hearing loss. These symptoms usually resolve within 16 to 48 hours, though in severe cases, recovery might take up to a week or two.

How long will my ears hurt after a concert?

For those that frequently attend these louder events -as whether it be after a music festival, an outdoor concert, nightclub or any other venue, the symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss can last anywhere from a few hours to multiple days. You may feel muffled hearing, ear buzzing after concert, or your ears may be ringing.

How many decibels is a concert?

Concerts often reach 100-105dB, and without proper protection, like earplugs, your ears can only tolerate this level for about 15 minutes. To buy the best ear protection for concerts, learn more with our earplug buying guide. Check with an expert on our resources for buying the best ear plugs for concerts in UK.

Discover more about earplugs

How many decibels can cause hearing loss?

Exposure to sounds at 85 dBA for more than 8 hours can cause hearing loss. The risk of damage increases with louder sounds. Every 3-dB increase above 85 dBA halves the safe listening duration. Any sound at or above 80 dB may lead to hearing loss and ringing in the ears.

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