Preventing Hearing Loss at Nightclubs and Live Music Events

After a long week at work, many of us look forward to making the most of our evenings and weekends by unwinding and de-stressing from the hectic week we’ve had. Going to the cinema, visiting new places or partying the night away in a night club are easy ways to relax and make the most of your leisure time, but it can have a detrimental effect on your hearing if suitable protection is not used.

Over the last decade, there has been an alarming increase with the number of people aged under 30 suffering from a form of aural disability. Leading medical officials have expressed their concern with a generation of people who have grown up listening to music, either personally through devices such as mp3 players or socially through live music events, suffering from hearing problem because of the lack of understanding of what protection is available to them.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, if you work at a venue which regularly plays loud live music, you must wear any provided hearing protection at all times. Employers must enforce this rule regardless of whether their employees are only exposed for a short amount of time. Members of the public attending gigs and events at these venues are not forced to wear hearing protection but must be provided with the option of being provided with earplugs if requested.

Audiologists recommend that if anyone is exposed to loud music, taking regular breaks and providing your ears with a rest can help reduce the effect loud sounds can have on your hearing. At least ten minutes in every hour can prove to be beneficial, as your ears are given time to recover and readjust.

Regular hearing tests are recommended by the Health and Safety Executive too. You should not feel discouraged to have your hearing tested, as having a professional check how well you are hearing things can be key to preventing any detrimental hearing problems from developing.

By making sure you carry out any of these tips, you can be proactive in looking after your aural health. There are a number of different forms of protection you can employ, but simply remembering to take a break from loud sources or wearing adequate hearing protection can help you keep your hearing in tip-top condition.