“Complementary earplugs for anyone who is sound sensitive!” the bright colored sign proclaimed at the check-in table for the Sunday matinee of The Rocky Horror Show. “Oh no,” I immediately thought, “this must be a loud one.” But then I felt relieved. At least this venue is aware of the dangers and is providing free ear protection for those smart enough to take advantage.
A few patrons took the earplugs, but, sadly, most didn’t. For those of us with hearing loss and tinnitus, protecting our hearing is not optional. I wish everyone felt the same way.
Why Does It Have to Be Loud to Be Fun?
More and more theater productions are turning up the volume. The same is true for sporting events and concerts. Even weddings and family celebrations have started to crank it up.
This obsession with volume puts everyone’s hearing at risk since even short exposure to loud sounds can cause permanent hearing damage and tinnitus. Rarely is hearing protection provided, putting the burden of safe listening on each attendee.
Protecting our ears—by carrying earplugs and supporting safe sound standards—is essential. But wouldn’t it be easier to just lower the volume?
How to Protect Your Hearing at Performances
All of us, hearing loss or not, can take a few simple steps to help keep our ears safe in loud noise. Share these tips with your family and friends, and add your ideas in the comments.
1. Use earplugs or earmuffs
High-fidelity styles reduce the volume without distorting the sound, so you can still enjoy every word or note. Earmuffs work well too. I love my noise-cancelling headphones and take them to every performance I can. If you wear hearing devices, turn down the volume or remove them, but even then, earplugs are still needed to protect whatever residual hearing remains.
2. Sit away from speakers
Some enjoy the front row of a concert, but I like to sit in the back, as far away from the speakers as I can get. According to the inverse square law, for every doubling of distance, the sound intensity drops by about 4 times. Moving away from loud sounds protects your ears.
3. Take listening breaks
Give your ears a break between shows or acts. This will help with listening fatigue, too.
4. Request lower volumes
If the sound feels painfully loud, ask an usher or manager if the volume can be lowered. While this may not be as effective in real-time at a public performance, it may work at a restaurant or in a private party space, especially if it comes via the host.
5. Model good hearing health
Model good hearing habits for children by helping them use protection too, and for the general public by wearing your earplugs proudly. Bring extras to share with those seated near you.
The Bottom Line
Protecting our ears isn’t about being boring—it’s about being smart. Let’s encourage theaters, concert halls, and other venues to turn it down a notch so everyone can enjoy the experience safely. And wherever you go, bring your own stash of earplugs or earmuffs. A great performance should leave you inspired—not with ringing in your ears.
Readers, how do you protect your ears at loud events?
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I always cringe when watching that decibel meter at sporting events climb to the literal-deafening 120 decibels.
That said, I am encouraged by how frequently I’m seeing little kids wearing headphones at games. But their parents should probably be wearing them too!
100% on all counts! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!