Is it safe to go to loud concerts? How can I tell if it’s too loud?

As a general rule, if you have to shout to be heard by someone next to you, the noise around you is too loud for your ears.

Another sign is how your ears feel afterwards. Ringing, buzzing, or a blocked feeling after a concert usually means your ears have been overloaded with loud noise. Even if that feeling fades, repeated exposure like this can lead to permanent hearing loss and tinnitus.

When sound levels reach 100–120 dB, which is typical of a concert, as little as 15 minutes of unprotected exposure is considered too long. Permanent damage can start in under 2 minutes at 110 dB. When that level increases by only 5dB, permanent damage can begin in under 30 seconds.

Most concerts last up to 3 hours; therefore, without ear protection, you are almost certain to sustain hearing damage.

• Taking short breaks from the noise and moving further away from speakers helps reduce strain on your ears.
• Hearing protection makes the biggest difference. Wearing earplugs and custom hearing protection allows you to enjoy the occasional live music event while still taking care of your long-term hearing health.