The line-ups are known, the tent is dusted off and the sunburn is ready. In short: festival season has begun! Whether you’re going wild at Lowlands, dancing at Down The Rabbit Hole or drifting the night away at a local house party: festival summer is a feast for the senses. But … unfortunately, so are your ears. And they deserve just as much attention as your outfit or your tickets. In this blog, we explain why hearing protection at festivals is not a luxury – but a real must. What are the risks? How does hearing protection actually work? And which types of earplugs are suitable for festivals? You can read it here.
What makes festivals so risky for your hearing?
Festivals are great – but they are also a drain on your ears. The music is often at high volumes for long periods of time, it is difficult to keep your distance from the speakers, and you are exposed to sound for hours at a time.
On average, the noise level at a festival is between 95 and 105 decibels. Just for comparison:
- 85 dB = limit at which hearing damage can occur with prolonged exposure
- 100 dB = safe for up to 15 minutes without hearing protection
And let’s face it: at a festival you are often at such a volume for much longer than 15 minutes. Especially indoor locations or tents with poor acoustics put a lot of pressure on your hearing.
What are the consequences of too much noise?
Those who regularly attend festivals without hearing protection are at risk:
1. Tinnitus (tinnitus).
That annoying, persistent squeak or ringing in your ears after a night out? For some people, it just won’t go away. Tinnitus can be temporary, or it can become chronic – and that has a huge impact on your life.
2. Permanent hearing damage
Loud noises damage the hair cells in your inner ear. Those hair cells do not repair themselves. So damage is permanent. As a result, many young people experience hearing loss later in life, often before age 40.
3. Hypersensitivity to sound
After repeated exposure to loud music, you can develop hyperacusis: a condition in which normal sounds are perceived as painful or unbearable.
4. Reduced focus and energy
Even mild hearing damage can cause you to struggle more to follow conversations. Your brain compensates, but that takes energy. Result: listening fatigue, decreased concentration and less enjoyment in social situations.
“But I don’t feel anything, do I?”
That’s right. Hearing damage usually doesn’t hurt, and you often don’t notice it until it’s already too late. It’s a bit like sunburn: it doesn’t seem too bad at the time, but at night you feel it crackle.
The difference is: your skin usually recovers. Your hearing doesn’t.
Why wear hearing protection at a festival?
Fortunately, you don’t have to stay home or stand quietly in the back. With the right hearing protection, you can fully enjoy the music while protecting your hearing.
Hearing protection:
- Filters harmful peaks in sound without muffling everything.
- Preserves sound quality, especially with special music filters.
- Makes talking easier because your ears are less overstimulated.
- Prevents that annoying squeak afterwards – and in the long run: hearing damage.
In short: smart, comfortable and indispensable if you want to continue enjoying music even when you are 40, 50 or 80.
Which earplugs are suitable for festivals?
Not all earplugs are created equal. Cotton wool or foam earplugs from the hardware store often muffle too much or distort the music. Fortunately, there are better options designed specifically for music and festival lovers.
1. Universal music earplugs
These are reusable, affordable and ready to use immediately. They have special filters that reduce the volume without distorting the sound, called the flat filter. Perfect for the festival goer looking for comfort and quality. An excellent option are for example the Noizezz Premium Music earplugs, they always come in 2 sizes (medium/large) and with a handy storage box. They are available in 4 strengths:
-
Noizezz PREMIUM Music – Strong€49,95 -
Noizezz PREMIUM Music – Medium€49,95 -
Noizezz PREMIUM Music – Mild€49,95 -
Noizezz PREMIUM Music – Extreme€49,95
2. Custom-made earplugs
For those who frequent festivals or concerts, custom-made earplugs are a great investment. They are fitted to your ear canal and provide optimal comfort, sound quality and protection. You hardly notice you are wearing them, which is exactly what you want. For custom-made earplugs, you don’t need to make an appointment; you can just come in during our walk-in:
- Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Friday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.(by appointment only for those over 18 years of age)
- Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
3. Children’s earplugs
Increasingly, parents are taking their kids to festivals. Super fun – as long as you protect their ears properly. There are special ear muffs and children’s earplugs that fit smaller ear canals and sensitive ears.
How do you use hearing protection at a festival?
- Put them in on time. Don’t wait until it’s too late. As soon as you hear the music, your ears may become overloaded.
- Wear them all the time. Every minute counts. Even brief spikes in sound can cause damage.
- Check the fit. Earplugs should seal well. Is there any slack or are they falling out? Then choose another size or type.
- Store them well. Bring a small storage box so you don’t lose them among the confetti.
Isn’t it dull?
That idea is sometimes still alive: earplugs would be “not cool. But that is changing rapidly. More and more festival-goers – and artists, too – are wearing hearing protection. It’s more cool to take good care of yourself than to go home with a beep.
In fact, many earplugs these days are so discreet or just so stylish (think: colorful, minimalist or shiny) that they are a fashion statement rather than a dud.
The afterparty is nicer with good hearing
After a day of dancing, singing, laughing and listening, you also want to reminisce – without squeak, noise or dull ears. And ten years from now? Then you still want to be able to sing along with your favorite band in full.
With good hearing protection, you keep the music beautiful, the party fun and your hearing healthy. No noise, no squeak, no regrets.
Are you going to a festival this summer? Don’t forget your sunglasses. Don’t forget your tent. But most of all, don’t forget your hearing protection.
Want to know which earplugs suit you or are you looking for a nice festival set including protection? Check out our webshop or feel free to send us a message.
