Last time you went to a live show, did you leave with a ringing in your ear? Learn how to protect your ears from tinnitus at your next concert.
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing a ringing or buzzing in the ears. While a number of conditions include tinnitus in their list of symptoms, the most common cause is exposure to loud noise.
Sounds are measured in decibels (dB). Anything louder than 85 dB can cause damage to the tiny hair cells within the inner ear. These hair cells move in relation to soundwaves and send an electrical signal through the auditory nerve to the brain, which is then interpreted as sound. When the hairs become damaged, they begin to “leak,” sending random electrical impulses to the brain and causing tinnitus.
How to Prevent Tinnitus
Since loud noises are the primary cause of ringing in the ear, wearing earplugs can help you enjoy the concert while still keeping your ears safe. Earplugs can be purchased at most pharmacies. If you are planning to attend a lot of concerts, we suggest investing in custom-made musician’s plugs. These are created from a mold of your ear, ensuring they fit well and offer superior hearing protection.
How to Treat Tinnitus
If you are experiencing ringing in the ears following a concert, there are some things you can do to help alleviate your discomfort.
Listen to White Noise
Ambient sounds can help you find relief from the annoying ringing in your ears. White noise machines are available, but many find the sound of a simple fan to be helpful. There are also a number of free playlists available online.
Distract Yourself
Listening to quiet music or a podcast can help distract you from your tinnitus. Avoid listening to anything too loud, as you may risk damaging your hearing even more.
De-Stress
Eliminating stress through yoga or meditation has been shown to help reduce symptoms.
Contact the hearing experts at Total Hearing Care of Dallas to learn more about protecting your ears while enjoying your next concert.
