Why Is There A Ringing In My Ears After A Concert?
Many people who enjoy going out and seeing their favorite singer or band play live often experience a ringing in their ears after the concert is over. This happens especially when the volume of the music is really loud or they are too close to the concert speakers. The “ringing” can be a high pitched squeal or whine. Some people have also described hearing “white noise” which is like the sound of static. The ringing in the ears can sometimes last a day or two after the concert. Although it is not a serious condition, it can be quite annoying.
The answer to why your ears ring after you have attended a concert is simple. You have damaged your ears by subjecting yourself to the loud music and the screams of the audience.
When exposed to loud noises, the hair cells in the inner ear become bent causing the ringing sound. Those hair cells produce nerve signals that travel to the auditory area of the brain when a sound is heard. Normally, these cells only fire when they are stimulated by a sound. Unfortunately, when the cells have experienced trauma, they fire on their own causing the ringing in the ear.
Obviously, the answer to this problem is not to avoid concerts. We all need a little fun in life. Plus, going to a few concerts a year will not permanently cause a ringing in your ears. Most likely within a few days your ears will heal and the ringing will subside. But, there are some things that you can do to avoid having to deal with this annoying affliction.
Constant concert goers can really enlist the help of ear plugs. You still are able to experience the thrill and the music of the concert but you are giving your ears an extra layer of protection. Some ear plugs are so small that no one will even be aware that you are wearing them.
Some band members have learned to protect their hearing from years worth of exposure to loud music by wearing ear plugs every time they sit down to play their instrument. You should also try to avoid staying at close proximity to the speakers. The closer to the speakers you are, the greater the noise resulting in greater ear damage.
Once you have gotten the ringing in your ears from a concert, there really is not much to do but wait until it goes away. Normally the hair cells in the inner ear will heal themselves but it is possible for them to break off entirely causing permanent damage to your hearing. Rarely do people experience permanent ear damage from attending concerts. It normally takes extended exposure to loud noises to cause permanent damage.
How can you tell if you are exposing your ears to something that is too loud? If you are within three feet of someone and you have to raise your voice for the person to hear you talking, the noise level within the environment is too loud. Sound louder the 110 decibels will damage your hearing. It is recommended that you do not expose your ears to a noise level over 85 decibels which is roughly the sound of a lawn mower.
