Earplugs Are Trendy! (Why? Save Your Hearing and Banish Tinnitus)

loud rock concert: earplugs save hearing and tinnitus concept

Maybe it's Taylor Swift, or maybe it's just that Gen Zs are growing up more educated than the rest of us, but ear plugs are all over TikTok as fashionable (healthy) accessories.

The hashtag leading the pack is simply #earplugs with more than 292 million views, but the lonely #earplug has 51 million and even the polite #earplugsplease has 43 thousand views.

More concert-goers than ever seem to be using hearing protection, and that's a smart move: The only preventable hearing loss is that due to noise. And a major side effect to very loud noise exposure is tinnitus.

Other than reducing noise exposure, there's no way to control other factors that cause hearing loss (aging, genetics, infection or illnesses). Once you've damaged the hair cells in your inner ears, that's it.

Cheap foam earplugs are just as effective as expensive ones, but those designed for music filter out bass and high frequency better. In other words, the sound quality you'll hear wearing cheap foam earplugs won't be as good as concert earplugs -- but you'll still save your hearing and won't get tinnitus.

Anything louder than 80 decibels can cause hearing loss and tinnitus. According to DecibelPro, makers of a sound meter app, the average rock concerts (even those held outside) are very loud: between 90 and 120 decibels (dB). More than a "14-minute exposure to decibel levels above 100 dB can cause hearing damage," writes the DecibelPro team. "A rock concert decibel level is between 90 and 120 dB. Therefore, the answer is yes. Rock concert decibels can damage your hearing."

They add that a "2-hour exposure to decibel levels above 90 dB can lead to hearing damage. In the same way, an over 2-minute exposure to decibel levels above 110 dB can lead to hearing damage/loss."

If you download a sound level meter app (most are free) on your phone, you'll be able to quickly check if your hearing is in danger.

According to a research paper from Creighton University, "properly fitted earplugs or muffs reduce noise 15 to 30 dB. The better earplugs and muffs are approximately equal in sound reduction, although earplugs are better for low frequency noise and earmuffs for high frequency noise. Simultaneous use of earplugs and muffs usually adds 10 to 15 dB more protection than either used alone. Combined

use should be considered when noise exceeds 105 dB.

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Comments

Can Allergies Cause Tinnitus?

The short answer is: Yes, allergies can cause tinnitus. Hearing loss, too. Allergy-related tinnitus is typically due to the congestion that allergies cause. Anything from allergic rhinitis (hay fever) to sinus infections increases the risk of developing tinnitus. Basically anything that affects the nasal and sinus passages can lead to tinnitus. That's because when allergies affect the nasal passages and sinuses, they can cause inflammation and swelling, leading to congestion and pressure changes in the ear. This pressure change can lead to tinnitus. Allergy meds can be a problem too Tinnitus can also be a side effect of certain medications used to treat allergies, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin. These medications can potentially cause tinnitus as a side effect, especially when taken in high doses. Other causes of tinnitus In addition to allergies, there are several other causes of tinnitus. In some cases, tinnitus can be a symptom of an underl

Medications Can Worsen Tinnitus Symptoms

Some common medications can actually heighten the ringing and whistling noises in your head and ears. Tinnitus sufferers have found this out to their dismay, and warn others to be wary of large dosages (in excess of 600 mg) of Ibuprofen, for instance, and even to be careful when taking aspirin. In fact, there are people who insist that certain medications don't just make the condition worse, but can actually cause tinnitus. If you have tinnitus and are also taking antibiotics or other medications (even over-the-counter meds) for any medical condition -- running the gamut from arthritis to clinical depression (Prozac's frequently cited) -- let your doctor know. You should also monitor yourself with a daily record of medicines taken and tinnitus levels. You might be surprised to learn that some items known to worsen tinnitus include toothpastes (especially for sensitive gums), antacid tablets, Pepto Bismol, Kaopectate and Pepcid. Click here for a comprehensive list o

Try Saline When Your Hearing Is Muffled After Loud Noise Exposure

If you've got temporary hearing loss or tinnitus after being at a loud concert or sports event, you may be able to fix it -- if you act fast. A 2021 Keck Medicine of USC study published in Science Daily has found that the nerve damage to the inner ear caused by loud noises is basically a build up of fluids. Treating that "fluid buildup with a readily available saline solution lessened nerve damage in the inner ear." A previous study by the same otolaryngologist showed that inner ear fluid level is not affected until noises reach 100 decibels, which is how loud a motorcycle is. "When researchers applied hypertonic saline, a salt-based solution used to treat nasal congestions in humans, into affected ears one hour after the noise exposure, both the immediate fluid buildup and the long-term nerve damage lessened, implying that the hearing loss could be at least partially prevented." The benefits of this knowledge are twofold: 1. If fluid buildup can be measured,

Tinnitus Help - Stop the Ringing in Your Ears

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