Attending concerts at the Jessye Norman Amphitheater or heading to the June Pickle Fest in Grovetown is part of what makes the warmer seasons so great. When you set out for a concert or festival, you might pack some water, sunscreen or even a few snacks. While it may not be the first thing on your mind, you should also consider packing a pair of earplugs.
Why Should I Wear Earplugs?
Any noise at or above 85 A-weighted decibels (dBA) can damage your hearing. Although 85 dBA is the threshold for hearing loss, brief exposure to sound at that level is unlikely to cause permanent damage. The louder the sound gets, the faster it can damage your hearing. Music at a concert can range from 94 to 110 dBA. At those volumes, hearing damage can occur in a matter of minutes.
Earplugs dampen the force of sound hitting your ears. Think about talking to someone in a separate room. Their voice will likely sound muffled through the wall. That’s because the wall is acting as a barrier that softens sound waves. Earplugs work the same way. By lowering the volume of the sound in your environment, you protect the delicate structures of your inner ears.
Non-music festivals are less likely to reach such high noise levels, and you may not need to wear earplugs during one. You can decide whether earplugs are necessary by measuring the volume in your environment with a decibel meter app on your phone. If the app tells you the volume is creeping past 85 dBA, it’s time to put in your earplugs.
A Few Types of Earplugs
There are a few different types of earplugs:
- Disposable foam. Disposable foam earplugs are the inexpensive kind you find at drugstores. Sometimes, workers will hand them out at concerts. They’re an excellent option for people who aren’t often in noisy environments.
- Pre-molded. Pre-molded earplugs, often made from silicone, rubber or plastic, are a reusable option for people who spend a lot of time at concerts or other noisy events. One notable type is a high-fidelity option that uses special filters to soften music without distorting it.
- Custom. Custom-molded earplugs fit your ear canal perfectly for optimal protection and comfort. You will need to get casts of your ears to order custom earplugs.
When it comes to choosing, the advice is similar to what people say about picking a sunscreen: the best choice is the one you’ll wear. If you find silicone reusable earplugs to be the most comfortable, grab a pair. If you know that you’ll take your earplugs out to hear music better, consider investing in a high-fidelity pair.
Earplugs are just the first step in spring hearing care. You should also take proactive steps to identify hearing loss as early as possible. If you attend many concerts or festivals this season, call Augusta – Aiken ENT & Allergy to schedule a hearing test.