At concerts and loud events, wearing hearing protection, moving away from speakers and leaving a little earlier all reduce the risk of damage; needing to shout to be heard is a sign the noise level is too loud for your ears.
The 60/60 rule for headphones (volume below 60%, maximum 60 minutes at a time, with at least an hour's break afterwards) is a simple way to avoid damage, as recommended by a US audiology centre.
Everyday noise from lawnmowers, leaf blowers, power tools and motorbikes adds up over time; earmuffs or earplugs are worth wearing if you'd need to raise your voice to talk to someone a metre away.
Hearing should be checked about once a year, and sooner if your hearing feels different or you are regularly exposed to loud noise.

Loud concerts and live events

You don't need to stop going. A few habits make a real difference:

Wear hearing protection. Earplugs designed for music let you enjoy the event at a safer level.
Move away from the speakers. Distance reduces how much sound reaches your ears.
Leave a little earlier. Both how loud it is and how long you are there count.

A simple check: if you have to shout to be heard by the person next to you, it is too loud for your ears. Ringing, buzzing or a blocked feeling afterwards is a sign your ears have been overloaded. It may fade, but repeated exposure can lead to permanent hearing loss and tinnitus.

No items found.

Headphones and earbuds

Headphones don't cause hearing loss on their own. What matters is how loud you listen and for how long. This applies to gaming headsets too, where long sessions of loud sound effects add up.

The 60/60 rule is easy to remember. Keep the volume below 60% and take your headphones off after 60 minutes. A US audiology centre that promotes the rule also suggests giving your ears a break of at least an hour afterwards. If someone next to you can hear your music, it is too loud.

No items found.

Everyday noise at home and work

Lawnmowers, leaf blowers, power tools, farm machinery and motorbikes are all loud enough to add up over time. If you would need to raise your voice to talk to someone a metre away, wear earmuffs or earplugs. Our guides on noise-induced hearing loss and choosing hearing protection have more detail.

No items found.

What about my hearing aids?

Ask your audiologist what to do with your hearing aids at loud events, in noisy workplaces or around very loud machinery. The best approach depends on the situation and your hearing aids, so it is worth a quick conversation at your next appointment.

No items found.

When to have your hearing checked

We recommend a hearing check about once a year. Book one sooner if:

your hearing feels different, or you suspect you have hearing loss
you are regularly exposed to loud noise

No items found.

Need a hand?

If your hearing feels different after a loud event, or you would like advice on hearing protection, call us on 0800 737 662 or pop into your local studio.

No items found.

Sources

World Health Organization, as reported by UN News (March 2022): new global standard for safe listening at venues and events.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Headphone safety tips (28 March 2012).

No items found.