Summer is a season of celebration—outdoor concerts, festivals, and dazzling fireworks light up the calendar from Memorial Day to Labor Day. But behind the fun, there’s a hidden danger many people overlook: noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
At ENT & Allergy Associates, we’re here to help you enjoy the sounds of summer safely. Whether you’re headed to a holiday fireworks show, a music festival, or a packed baseball game, understanding how loud sounds affect your ears is key to protecting your long-term hearing health.
Fireworks and Hearing Damage: What You Need to Know
A single fireworks blast can exceed 150 decibels—that’s louder than a gunshot and well beyond the safe limit for human ears. The CDC recommends keeping sound exposure below 85 decibels for extended periods. Sounds above 120 dB can cause immediate damage.
Common signs of hearing damage from fireworks:
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- A sense of muffled or distorted hearing
- Pain or discomfort in the ear
- Temporary hearing loss after the event
These are all signs your ears have been overexposed—and in some cases, hearing loss can become permanent.
How to Protect Your Ears from Fireworks
Enjoying the show doesn’t have to come at the cost of your hearing. Here's how to reduce your risk:
· Use earplugs or earmuffs: Foam earplugs are widely available and easy to use. For kids, opt for noise-reducing earmuffs that fit securely.
- Keep your distance: Stand at least 500 feet away from the launch zone.
- Limit exposure time: Avoid lingering near the fireworks setup after the show starts.
- Avoid homemade fireworks: They’re not only dangerous—they often produce unpredictable and extreme noise levels.
- Watch from indoors or in the car: You’ll still see the show and enjoy the sound from a safer volume level.
Summer Concerts and Festivals: Protecting Your Ears at Events
Outdoor concerts and music festivals are another major cause of temporary or permanent hearing loss, especially if you’re near the speakers or in a tightly packed crowd.
Tips to protect your ears at concerts:
- Wear high-fidelity earplugs: These lower sound levels without distorting music quality.
- Take “quiet breaks”: Step away from the crowd or stage every 30–60 minutes to give your ears a rest.
- Stay behind the speakers: Never stand directly in front of a speaker stack.
- Be mindful of duration: The longer you’re exposed, the higher your risk—even if the volume seems manageable.
Are You at Risk for Hearing Loss?
Anyone can develop noise-induced hearing loss, but children, teens, musicians, and concert lovers are particularly at risk due to frequent exposure. Once hearing is damaged, it cannot be reversed, which makes prevention critical.
If you experience:
- Persistent ringing in your ears
- Difficulty hearing conversations in noisy environments
- A sense of fullness or pressure in the ear after a loud event
…it’s time to see a hearing specialist. ENT & Allergy Associates has a team of licensed audiologists who specialize in hearing health, diagnostics, and personalized protection strategies.
Custom Ear Protection: A Smart Summer Investment
For frequent concertgoers, musicians, or anyone working in loud environments, custom-molded earplugs provide superior protection and comfort. These reusable plugs are tailored to your ears and designed to preserve sound quality while reducing harmful noise.
Ask your ENT & Allergy Associates audiologist about options for:
- Custom earplugs
- Musician monitors
- Swim plugs (to also prevent swimmer’s ear!)
- Hearing aid evaluations and fittings