If you've ever seen your favorite band play in a packed venue, or with speakers the size of a small home, you may have experienced the feeling of a temporary hearing loss after a concert once or twice.
The show ends, the music turns down as the lights come on, and everything suddenly sounds like you just stepped off an airplane. It's possible you may even feel a slight ringing in the ears. These are common side effects of a noise-induced hearing loss after a show or concert. As we first start going to these events in our younger years, the effects are often temporary.
However, 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 or your ears may be ringing.
Here are some treatment options you can implement to help ease the effects of temporary hearing loss after a loud concert.
Give your ears a rest
Silence is golden when your ears have been getting pelted with sound for multiple hours at a time. Limit the amount of sound you intake for a while, keep away from noisey locations, and avoid using headphones until the effects have subsided. Your ears need a little rest and relaxation to recover, show them some love.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol
Stimulants like caffeine can prolong the time it takes for the ringing or muffled hearing to go away, while alcohol increases the amount of blood flow to the inner ear which can also have a negative effect on recovery. One study of the effects drinking on our hearing concluded that excessive amounts of alcohol can lessen the ability of our hair cells to process low-frequency sounds.
The importance of prevention
Over time, consistent loud noise above at dangerous decibel levels (above 85 dB) will lead to a permanent hearing loss. The hair cells in your ears become worn down and damaged permanently- This can also cause the mind to create a persistent feeling of ringing in the ears - a condition known as
tinnitus - that can be difficult to cope with. This is why prevention is so essential.
If you know that you're going to a rock concert or other loud event -or if you work with a job with dangerous noise levels- be sure to bring a pair of earplugs. There are a number of high-fidelity earplugs available that are able to filter sound so you can still hear the music well without suffering the same damaging effects.
If the problem persists you may need professional medical help. Give us a call on
0800 522 422 to book an appointment at a bloom™ hearing specialist clinic near you.