This is how you should protect your ears to avoid serious damage if you are going to attend a music festival.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than one billion young people are at risk of hearing loss from prolonged exposure to loud music, especially from headphones or noisy events. Therefore, it is key to promote the "60-60" rule: no more than 60 minutes a day with headphones and at 60% of the maximum volume.

And with summer comes a proliferation of music festivals. Days of many concerts, joy, and fun, but at the expense of our ears, due to high volumes that completely undermine our hearing health. If you want to enjoy these concerts and, at the same time, take care of your ears, don't hesitate: follow the recommendations we provide below.

“Music is passion, emotion, and connection. But enjoying it shouldn't cost us our hearing health. When festival season approaches, there's excitement, adrenaline, and, above all, the volume. But what many don't know is that these events can leave a permanent mark on our hearing,” warns Dr. Miriam Hamdan Zavarce, from the Otorhinolaryngology Department at the Coromina Center – Teknon Medical Center (Barcelona) , part of the Quirónsalud group.

First signs of hearing damage: ringing and buzzing

She specifies that hearing damage ranges from temporary ringing or buzzing (called tinnitus) to irreversible hearing loss. "We may experience this hearing damage for life. These effects not only affect our quality of life, but can impact our daily lives, whether at work, school, university, or even before bed," says Dr. Hamdan Zavarce.

As a hearing health specialist, she laments that there are an increasing number of consultations from young people and adults suffering from ringing (tinnitus), pain or pressure in the ears, and even permanent hearing loss after attending concerts. She also says that there are studies in Europe that assessed the intensity of music, measured in decibels (dB), and determined that averages at festivals usually range between 95 and 103 dB, with peaks exceeding 120 dB. “At levels above 100 dB, damage can appear in as little as 15 minutes. These levels can cause temporary tinnitus or even permanent hearing damage. At 100 dB, hearing damage can appear in just 15 minutes,” warns Dr. Miriam Hamdan Zavarce.

The problem: volume and exposure time

With this, this otolaryngologist reminds us that sound levels at festivals can easily reach 100-120 decibels, when the WHO recommends not exceeding 85 dB for more than 8 hours. However, this otolaryngologist warns that there are safe limits for noise exposure, where the safe exposure time is reduced by half with each increase: 85 dB → 8 hours | 88 dB → 4 hours | 91 dB → 2 hours | 94 dB → 1 hour | 97 dB → 30 minutes | 100 dB → 15 minutes. "As we see with high sound intensities in decibels, exposure time is limited. Therefore, wearing hearing protection is ideal to avoid damage to our hearing," insists this doctor from Teknon Medical Center.

Prevent hearing damage

In her opinion, it's ideal to know that simple measures can prevent hearing damage. "Protecting our ears doesn't mean giving up on music. It means enjoying it safely and being aware of the real risks posed by prolonged exposure to high volumes," argues this otology expert.

Measures for going to festivals The key to protecting your hearing is prevention: for example, wearing earplugs and choosing a suitable location

The key, he says, to protecting your hearing is prevention, and to do so, he recommends implementing certain measures that help prevent hearing damage:

• Before the festival: Always wear earplugs. Think of them like sunglasses. Wearing proper hearing protection is crucial, such as high-fidelity acoustic filter earplugs that reduce between 15 and 25 dB without distorting the sound. He emphasizes that "technology has advanced a lot," and there's no longer a need to talk about foam earplugs, which can be uncomfortable, but rather high-fidelity ear protectors that reduce volume without distorting sound quality. "There are generic models and others customized for the shape of your ear. If you go to concerts frequently, protecting yourself will make a difference and prevent irreversible hearing consequences."

• During a festival, location is important. Standing directly in front of the speaker or in the front rows can dramatically increase noise exposure. Ideally, position yourself at a distance from the speakers, in side or elevated areas, where the sound is distributed more evenly and you can enjoy listening breaks. At long festivals, a small gesture of moving to quiet areas between sets allows your ears to rest.

• After the festival, monitor for symptoms: If you experience ringing in your ear or hearing loss for more than 48 hours, consult an ear, nose, and throat specialist, as these require treatment to prevent the progression of hearing damage.

Do you go to concerts often? Investing in professional earplugs can make the difference between a safe experience and irreversible consequences. There are different types of earplugs to minimize intense noise and allow you to hear the concert without damaging your ears. The recommendation for festivals is at least 18–25 dB of attenuation. These earplugs can be found in pharmacies or online. “My recommendation is 'Protect yourself today to hear forever,' and enjoying a festival doesn't mean damaging your ears. Music is meant to be felt, experienced, and remembered. With small decisions, such as wearing hearing protection, choosing your location wisely, and respecting the rest of your ears, you can ensure an incredible and healthy experience,” concludes Dr. Miriam Hamdan Zavarce.