Many people love live music. Concerts. Festivals. Loud environments where the energy is high and the sound is powerful. 

What most people do not realize is how quickly these experiences can affect their hearing. Not always years later; sometimes, that very night. 

In a recent short educational video, I share simple, practical advice about how to enjoy concerts while protecting your hearing. These lessons come directly from working with patients who never expected one night of music to change how they hear. 

Concert Hearing Damage Is About Intensity and Time 

One of the biggest misunderstandings about hearing damage is that it is only about the volume of the sound exposure. 

It is also about duration. 

Concerts and festivals combine high sound levels with long exposure times. When you attend multiple sets or spend hours near speakers, the risk increases quickly. This is especially common at festivals, where sound exposure can last most of the day. 

Understanding intensity versus time helps people make better choices in loud environments. 

Earplugs Are Simple and Effective 

Protecting your hearing does not need to be complicated. 

In the video, I explain that even basic foam earplugs from a drugstore can make a real difference. These roll-up earplugs reduce sound intensity while still allowing you to enjoy the music. 

For people who attend concerts regularly, musician earplugs are another option. They lower volume more evenly and preserve sound quality. 

The most important step is simple: Bring earplugs and use them. 

Small Breaks Reduce Long-Term Risk 

Another practical takeaway is giving your ears breaks. 

Step away from speakers. Spend time in quieter areas between sets. Limit how long you stay close to loud sound sources. 

These small actions reduce overall exposure and help protect your hearing over time. 

Why This Matters More Than People Expect 

Many patients I see never felt pain at a concert, and they did not notice immediate problems. 

Instead, they noticed later that speech seemed less clear. That background noise became exhausting. That the ringing in their ears did not fully go away. 

Noise-related hearing damage often develops quietly, and prevention is far easier than treatment. 

How Hearing Care Helps After Intense Sound Exposure 

If you often attend concerts or festivals or you work in loud environments, hearing assessments provide clarity and peace of mind. 

A professional hearing evaluation can: 

• Establish a hearing baseline 

• Identify early changes 

• Guide prevention strategies 

• Reduce long-term risk 

Good hearing care is proactive, not reactive. 

Resources: Industry Expertise & Hearing Health 

Delivering effective hearing care means staying connected to current research and real-world clinical insight. 

The Hearing Journal is one of the most respected professional publications in the hearing care industry. I’ve had the pleasure of being featured by The Hearing Journal through interviews and by hosting their professional podcast, contributing to wider conversations around best practice in audiology and patient care. 

Verified features With The Hearing Journal: 

• “Overcoming the Confidence Gap with D’Anne Rudden, AuD” 

An interview published by The Hearing Journal exploring professional confidence, leadership, and standards in audiology. 

• Addressing the Confidence Gap in Audiology - D’Anne Rudden, AuD 

This article explores how confidence is shaped by both brain biology and personal experience, arguing that it is not a fixed trait but something that can be developed and recalibrated. 

• The Hearing Journal Podcast, hosted by D’Anne Rudden, AuD 

I host The Hearing Journal’s official podcast, which features expert discussions on hearing care and audiology topics. 

Your Next Step 

If you attend loud events, notice ringing after concerts, or feel listening fatigue, a hearing assessment can help protect your future hearing. 

Small steps today can prevent bigger challenges later. 

Book a hearing consultation with Longmont Hearing & Tinnitus Center today. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

Q: Can one concert damage hearing? 

A: Yes. High sound levels over a few hours can cause damage. 

Q: Do earplugs ruin the music? 

A: No. They lower volume while preserving enjoyment. 

Q: Are festivals riskier than single concerts? 

A: Yes. Longer exposure increases risk. 

Q: Is ringing in the ears after a concert normal? 

A: It is common but not harmless. It can signal damage. 

Q: Should concert goers get hearing tests? 

A: Yes, especially if exposure is frequent. 

Sources 

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss 

Explains how loud sound exposure causes hearing damage and why prevention matters. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 

https://www.cdc.gov/hearing-loss/causes/  

Provides guidance on sound intensity, exposure time, and hearing safety.