Festivals and Loud Music

11 August 2011

The festivals are alive with the sound of music

Enjoy the Music, but look after your hearing too, warns national charity Deafness Research UK

As the festival season draws to a close and the final line-ups pile in for sound-checks, national charity Deafness Research UK is advising this year’s groupies to get their own ‘sound-checks’ before pulling on their wellies and heading for the fields. The crowds will be loud, the music will be louder, but by following the advice of Deafness Research UK, festival fans can be sure to enjoy the sound of music without risking permanent damage to their hearing.

What many festival goers don’t realise is that too much exposure to loud music at festivals can have serious consequences for years to come. National charity Deafness Research UK is now warning festival goers to become aware of the dangers of exposing their ears to loud music over long periods of time, and to take sensible precautions.

How loud the music is and how long you are exposed to it determines how quickly your ears suffer damage,” warns Vivienne Michael, CEO of Deafness Research UK. “It takes only 15 minutes for the ear to be exposed to danger when listening to loud music at 100dBA. How quickly damage can be caused at festivals would depend on where you’re stood in the crowd, and for how long.

The loud music booming from the amplifiers at each festival may provide perfect sound so that large crowds can hear and experience the full effects, but they also increase the chances of hearing problems and developing tinnitus, a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears which can be caused by over-exposure to noises.

While Deafness Research UK is not suggesting festival lovers should stop going to the events, they are advising that precautions are taken to make the experience safe while not impacting on the enjoyment. “Taking breaks from the main stage and away from the excessive noise is one simple start”, added Vivienne Michael. “Giving your ears chance to recover after the festival by avoiding loud noises for a few days after can also help,” she concluded. …/cont Deafness Research UK also recommends taking ear plugs as the best protection for your ears and can be worn either all the time, or for periods to have a break from the volume.

Despite common misconceptions, ear plugs do not block out the sound, in fact they can help to improve it as conversations can be heard over the music. Whilst they are not yet the world’s biggest fashion accessory, new ear plugs have many designs and colours, as well as the simple skin coloured plugs to blend in. If the musicians wear them, surely fans can follow suit.

For more information on looking after your hearing and the latest findings on the dangers of listening to loud music, see the Deafness Research UK website www.deafnessresearch.org.uk If you are concerned about hearing loss, you can access a wide range of free information from Deafness Research UK’s Information Service, on Freephone 0808 808 2222.

ENDS

About Deafness Research UK

• Deafness Research UK is the country’s only charity dedicated to finding new cures, treatments and technologies for deaf, hard of hearing and other hearing impaired people.
• The charity supports high quality medical research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all forms of hearing impairment including tinnitus.
• Deafness Research UK is entirely dependent on voluntary donations, gifts and personal legacies. You can donate online at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk , or call 0207 7833 1733 for further information on how to support the charity.
• The Deafness Research UK Information Service provides free information and advice based on the latest scientific evidence and informed by leading experts. The Information Service can be contacted on Freephone 0808 808 2222.
• For more information on research into deafness, tinnitus and other hearing conditions, log on to the website at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk where you can access a wide range of information. Alternatively you can e-mail Deafness Research UK at
• One in seven people in the UK – almost nine million people - suffer hearing loss.
• Deafness Research UK was founded in 1985 by Lord (Jack) and Lady Ashley of Stoke.
• In January 2008, Action for Tinnitus Research (ATR) was linked with Deafness Research UK under a uniting direction order under section 96(6) of the Charities Act 1993.

Press enquiries: Jon Gardner, BeyondPR

Beyond PR Website Tel 0114 275 6996 / 07930 697773 Ref: DRUK0419 – The Sound of Music