Ringing in ears after concerts

Concerts are guaranteed to give you a thrill, from the energy of the crowd to the excitement of hearing your favorite musicians play their songs live and in person. After an evening of fun, however, you may also find yourself experiencing a slight ringing in your ears from loud music as you leave the venue. It might seem that some ringing in ears after concert is just part of the concert experience, but it can actually be a sign of something more damaging happening in your ears.

Tinnitus is the perception of sounds that aren’t actually there. About 15% of adults experience some form of tinnitus, and it shows up as sounds like high-pitched ringing, roaring, humming or buzzing.

Tinnitus isn’t a condition in itself; rather, it’s a symptom of an underlying ailment. While numerous conditions are associated with tinnitus, one of the most common causes is hearing loss.

Under normal conditions, the movement of tiny, delicate hair cells in the inner ear triggers electrical signals that the brain interprets as sound. One theory is if these hairs are damaged, they can “leak” random signals to your brain and cause tinnitus. Regular exposure to loud sounds, including noisy work environments and music at concert volumes, can cause that damage.

If you’ve experienced ringing in your ears after a concert, it likely subsided by the following morning. In most cases, tinnitus after a loud concert disappears within 16 to 48 hours, or a week or two in extreme cases. No matter the severity of your post-concert tinnitus, avoid further exposure to loud noises that could  further aggravate the issue.

If you notice that the ringing persists for more than two weeks, consult a doctor or a specialist at Miracle-Ear to analyze the extent of the damage in your ears and discuss possible treatment options. 

Despite the risk that concerts pose to your ears, you don’t have to stop attending live shows altogether. Instead, take protective measures during the concert to protect your hearing. Here’s how to protect ears at concerts:

• Wear earplugs. It may seem counterintuitive to wear ear plugs at a performance where the main activity is listening, but ear plugs are one of the best ways to reduce the likelihood of damage while still enjoying the music. Many modern hearing protection options, such as certain over-the-counter ear plugs, are specially engineered for enjoying music. These devices use filters that adjust and tone down the volume without muting the music entirely. If you are a regular concert-goer, consider investing in custom-molded earplugs  for extra protection.
• Watch where you stand. If you’re standing close to the speakers, you can put your ears at a greater risk of damage. Choose a spot at least 25 feet away from any audio equipment. If you find yourself in an area where the music is particularly loud, take breaks in quieter areas such as bathrooms or concession areas.
• Avoid tinnitus triggers. When drinking caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, especially in excess, your blood vessels relax and expand. This movement increases bloodflow throughout the body, including to your ears, and can make tinnitus symptoms feel more pronounced. On the other hand, smoking cigarettes causes blood vessels to constrict, increasing blood pressure, reducing the amount of oxygen reaching cells and amplifying the ringing in your ears. Avoid these substances to reduce your risk of experiencing tinnitus symptoms.

Despite taking precautionary measures, it’s still possible to walk out of a concert with a slight ringing in your ears. Nevertheless, your actions mitigate the damage, and you shouldn’t be discouraged from wearing protection each time you go to a show. 

If you don’t take preventative measures to protect your hearing, consistent exposure to loud noise can lead to premature hearing loss. Also known as Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) , this condition affects people of all ages. Symptoms can develop immediately or slowly over time and can include tinnitus, the inability to hear high-pitched sounds, or a feeling of pressure in the ears. Similarly to tinnitus, NIHL occurs when the sensitive hair cells of the inner ear are damaged. Once these hair cells are destroyed, they cannot grow back.

Not only can NIHL come from consistent exposure to loud music at concerts, but it can also stem from other noisy hobbies or even loud workplaces. If you regularly ride motorcycles, hunt , do woodworking, listen to loud music via headphones, or work in a construction or factory setting, your ears are likely exposed to harmful decibel levels. Like you would at a concert, wear ear protection to prevent unhealthy noise exposure and protect your hearing.

Concerts are fun and exciting ways to enjoy your favorite music and spend time with friends, but they shouldn’t come at a cost to your health. By taking preventative measures, you can avoid experiencing ringing in your ears after a concert. If you notice the ringing in your ears  after loud music that lasts longer than two weeks, or if you have questions about how to protect your ears in noisy environments, schedule an appointment at Miracle-Ear.

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