Earplugs Help Protect Hearing at Loud Concerts

Earplugs can protect concert-goers from the temporary hearing loss that can linger after a high-decibel music concert. In this study, researchers followed 51 participants who attended an outdoor music festival, half of whom used earplugs. The average noise level during the festival was 100 decibels, which is known to pose a threat to hearing. After the event, 42% of those who did not wear earplugs experienced temporary hearing loss, compared with only 8% of those who had used them. Additionally, 40% of those who did not use earplugs reported post-concert tinnitus (ringing in the ears), while only 12% of ear plug users did so. JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, April 2016