Protecting your hearing at music festivals

Top tips from Mark Williams, Chief Audiologist at The Tinnitus Clinic

• The simplest way to avoid hearing damage at festivals is to wear earplugs. Some festivals give these away for free, but you can buy custom fitted plugs with a range of filters designed to reduce the volume of external noises while preserving your ability to hear speech and music with much greater clarity.
• Alternatively, you can buy noise isolating ear defenders. These are often more ideal for children; whose hearing is typically much more vulnerable than an adult.
• Keeping loud noise exposure to a minimum is a good way to limit any hearing damage. Try to plan to get away from the show after a particularly noisy set, or even every hour just to take a break. If you’re at a festival overnight, why not head back to the camp site for a short break?
• If you can, go to the show a little early to scope out where noise will be the loudest. Keep away from the speakers to avoid the area’s most likely to permanently harm your hearing.
• A simple rule to follow is 60:60 even when using ear defence. Listen to loud music for no longer than 60 minutes at a time and take a break of 60 minutes each time.
• Remember that excessive alcohol intake can reduce the ability of your ears to attenuate loud sound signals.
• Alternatively, go on a “noise diet.” Turn down the volume for 24 hours and avoid any loud noises. This should give your ears chance to recover.

For further information, call The Tinnitus Clinic on 0800 030 6617 or e-mail info@thetinnitusclinic.co.uk