A comprehensive study conducted by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) alongside Censuswide revealed that 83% of Gen Z adults (aged 20–29) have experienced symptoms such as ringing, buzzing, or muffled hearing after attending loud music events.

Even more concerning, 10% of those surveyed admitted to experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis.

High Attendance, Low Protection

The research highlights a significant frequency of exposure among young adults, with 28% attending loud music events at least once a week and 51% attending at least once a month.

Despite high awareness, four out of five respondents acknowledged that repeated exposure to high decibel levels can cause permanent damage, very few take proactive steps to protect their ears:

• Only 7% of Gen Z respondents stated they always wear earplugs at loud events.
• One in five (20%) report wearing them often.
• 35% admit to rarely or never wearing hearing protection.
• 25% revealed they would feel “embarrassed” to be seen wearing earplugs in a club or festival setting.
• 23% mistakenly believe they do not need hearing protection at all.

Understanding the “Hearing Hangover”

Audiology experts warn that the common post-clubbing phenomenon, often referred to as a “hearing hangover”, is actually a critical warning sign of acoustic trauma.

“Ringing, buzzing or muffled hearing after listening to loud music is a warning sign that your ears have been exposed to damaging levels of noise,”

explained Franki Oliver, Audiology Manager at RNID.

“While symptoms may fade initially, repeated exposure can lead to permanent hearing loss and invasive tinnitus, often without you noticing until it’s too late.”

The RNID emphasizes that taking simple preventative measures, such as wearing high-fidelity filtered earplugs, stepping away from main speaker stacks, and taking regular 5-minute listening breaks, can preserve long-term hearing without sacrificing sound quality or the live event experience.

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“These potential impacts can begin earlier in life than many people realize,” says Dr. Rachel Trinker, a doctor of audiology and a millennial herself.

Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take now to protect your hearing for the future. In a report, Dr. Trinker recommends four key strategies for millennials and Gen Z.

Wear Ear Protection

This is arguably the most important step you can take. Loud environments like concerts, bars, and clubs often exceed 85 decibels, a level that can cause permanent hearing damage with prolonged exposure. Dr. Trinker notes, “You might start to feel an uncomfortable pressure or ringing in your ears, which can be an early sign of hearing loss.”

Don’t forget that a single, sudden loud noise, like a gunshot or a firework, can also cause immediate and irreversible damage.

There are many types of ear protection available, so you can find a pair that fits your needs and budget. Options range from simple foam earplugs to custom-molded plugs designed for comfort and sound quality. Keeping a pair with you—in your car, on your keychain—ensures you’re always prepared.

Follow the 60/60 Rule

When using headphones or earbuds, it’s easy to crank up the volume and lose track of time. To protect your ears, Dr. Trinker recommends the 60/60 rule: listen at no more than 60% of the maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time. This simple habit gives your ears a much-needed break and helps prevent long-term damage.

Get a Hearing Test

Even if you don’t notice any major issues, a yearly hearing test is a smart move. Early signs of hearing loss can be subtle. If you find yourself straining to follow conversations, turning up the TV volume, or struggling to hear high-pitched voices, it’s time to get checked out.

Getting a baseline test from a licensed audiologist allows you to track changes over time and catch potential problems early. Many providers offer free screenings, and tests are often covered by insurance.

Get Hearing Aids

Even for mild hearing loss, hearing aids can be highly beneficial. While they can’t fully restore your hearing, they can significantly improve your quality of life, making it easier to engage in conversations and daily activities.

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Despite their awareness, 35% of Gen Z members reported that they do not plan to wear any form of hearing protection at events. This finding is particularly striking when contrasted with the high percentage of people who have already experienced hearing damage. The survey also explored what might motivate people to use earplugs more often. Roughly 28% said they would be more inclined to use earplugs if they could still enjoy live music while wearing them, and another one-in-five said they would opt for protection if it were offered for free at events and felt more comfortable.

Franki Oliver, the RNID’s Audiology Manager, commented on the survey’s findings, saying, “These findings highlight just how often people are experiencing the dangerous side effects of being exposed to loud music, despite people’s apparent high awareness of the risks”. Oliver emphasized that this is a preventable problem, adding, “Exposure to loud sound levels is one of the leading causes of hearing loss and tinnitus – but it’s also one of the most preventable – so it’s encouraging to see that more people would be willing to take steps to protect their hearing if they knew they’d still enjoy the full live music experience”. The results underscore the critical need for better access to and promotion of comfortable, effective hearing protection for young adults.

[H/T] Mixmag

*Cover image credit: Ethan Miller

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*Featured Cover Photo Credit: eternalcreative / Getty Images

Researchers from Eargym analyzed results of the study

The way that researchers from Eargym analyzed this study was through conducting a scientifically-validated “speech-in-noise” activity. In detail, this activity came from the Eargym app itself and it was very useful in obtaining the data for the startup. The data then diagnosed that amongst the 16-35 year-old demographic, 24% have hearing loss and 19% have possible signs of hearing loss.

Furthermore, 47% in the same age demographic have a hearing age that is older than their biological age, with the average age difference between 13 years. Overall, the study had its impact on providing knowledge about hearing loss in young adults, especially with the study detecting about 43% of the study’s participants having hearing loss. About half of the participants in the study stated that the hearing have impacted life quality as well. Perhaps in the near future, Eargym can reconnect with all of the participants in 10 or 20 years and inquire how the participants’ hearing will become in that time period.

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According to the World Health Organization, one in two young people is at risk of noise-induced hearing loss – including Tinnitus and deafness. 

At EDM Tunes, we love big festivals and music. Still, we would like to encourage the music industry and especially our readers to follow these suggestions when attending these events:

• Make a habit of wearing earplugs at the festivals. You can find many options in the market and get the one that fits your ears the best. They are not expensive, and you can buy some for your rave group. Trust us; your friends will appreciate you saving it from Tinnitus and hearing loss. 

• Avoid hearing music with levels over 100 dB. Nowadays, Multiple apps allow users to measure sound levels from their phone easily; if levels are over 100, it’s time to use your earplugs.  

• Stay away from the speakers. Remember, you can be raving for hours, and your ears need to rest

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B.G. experienced dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, and nausea immediately following the incident, which took place in 2020. He’s now rendered partially deaf and will have to wear a hearing aid for the rest of his life.

“This boy’s life has been severely altered because Apple did not provide a warning about the volume levels of its AirPods, leading to his permanent hearing loss. Had Apple designed the AirPods to self-adjust to safe levels or provided warnings about the volume increases associated with alerts, this boy would be living a normal life.”

-Tej Paranjpe, the family’s attorney

The family is seeking the following damages in the case: physical harm, disability, emotional trauma, and expenses for future medical bills.

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The CDC laid out conditions for hearing loss. The maximum volume level for personal listening is 105-110dB and this is also the range for most entertainment venues. Hearing loss can happen in less than five minutes for exposure to anything just slightly above that range. Having a conversation is around 60dB, so what does that mean for conversations held in a bar with loud music and you’re shouting at each other? Let alone a live show with speakers blasting directly above you?

What Causes This?

Small sensory hair cells in the cochlea (inner ear) flatten down when sound is too high. Those send sound nerve impulses to the brain and if they flatten all the time, they will eventually die and not grow back. Thus, hearing loss. Know that distinct frequencies will induce varied responses to those hair cells and when they’re damaged you will lose distinct tones across your auditory spectrum. I’ve already got tinnitus from prolonged exposure, which is that ringing in your ears.

If you want to take action now, the CDC suggests staying away from the loudest producing sound source, limiting your time of exposure to high decibels, and bringing hearing protection. Earplugs are the easiest of these options if you prefer to live life to the extreme and stay where the sound is. Get custom earplugs for maximum protection. We’ve seen rumors of putting salt in your ear to save you from hearing loss. Mixmag also found a 2017 study on using MDMA to cure tinnitus.

Look friends, it may seem like a pain to do but your senses are what make you able to experience things. Protect them at all costs so that you can keep on living.

Source: Mixmag, EDM.com, BestReviews cover photo)

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The company has begun putting earplug vending machines inside Toronto clubs. The machines themselves, are similar to a classic gumball machine and only accept toonies.

Once the money is inserted into the machine, a case containing one set of earplugs is dispensed to the buyer. The earplugs are reusable and the case doubles as a storage container.

In recent years, ear protection has become a growing topic for concern in the music industry with many artists speaking out on the dangers of loud music. In May of 2019, Ghastly tweeted about his right ear becoming half-deaf, taking the opportunity to preach the importance of protection.

In a study conducted last year, 47% of adults who listened to very loud music in their teens now face hearing issues.

“Hearing protection needs more awareness and is a growing concern for people of all ages,” WHUT!? Earplugs founder Alisa Davis said.

So far, the vending machines are located in 25 clubs. Clubs housing the vending machines include CODA, Danforth Music Hall, Mod Club, and more. In addition to venues in Toronto, there are machines located in venues in Hamilton and Owen Sound.

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In summary, the survey found that nearly half of the adults, 47%, who listened to very loud music in their teens, face hearing issues today. 52% stated “difficulty understanding what is being said in loud environments like busy restaurants…”. Unfortunately, damage to one’s ears is irreversible to fix, besides remedies like hearing aides.

“70% of respondents said they wished they could hear music the way they did when they were young”.

Despite the ‘Woodstock Generation’ nickname, not everyone actually went to the Woodstock festival. The festival can’t take all the blame as their could be many factors leading to these results. One could suffer hearing damage from working at a loud construction job or from war related injuries. It’s difficult to comprehend how artists cope with being around extremely loud music day in and day out. Still, the focus is on hearing difficulties and what long-term exposure does to our bodies.

Sadly, 36% of the respondents reported having trouble listening to music in the present day. Their hearing loss also left an impact on friend and family relationships. 38% of those surveyed found that their hearing damage effected their relationships with those they care about. With this in mind, we can all take easy steps to take care of ourselves by wearing ear plugs around loud noises and music. If not, how do you expect to enjoy your favorite music several years from now?

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The age old problem of hearing loss has been around forever. It is usually something that just comes with old age but we in the dance community are becoming more aware that exposing yourself to a lot of very loud noises for a lot of time can do permanent damage to your ear. Even though our friends make jokes, many of us do actually wear ear plugs to our concerts. For those of us that don’t this might be welcome news.

Forever we thought hearing loss was permanent and irreversible but that may not be true. Some researchers at Indiana University have found that some cells in the body can be morphed into blank cells which could build functioning pieces of another body part. They call these pluripotent stem cells and scientists have been able to duplicate pieces of the inner ear. Trials have been done but this research is not ready for human testing yet. Let’s hope they can make some headway here and keep us all raving for the rest of our lives.

Source: Gizmodo

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