A ringing sound after a festival. For many visitors, it’s almost part of the experience. You get home after a full day or night of music, crawl into bed and still hear a high-pitched tone in your ears. Most of the time it fades away. But sometimes, that ringing is a warning sign that your hearing has been through more than it should.
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The fact that hearing problems don’t just affect older people is clear from the stories of artists within the harddance scene. The very people who work with loud music every day know just how vulnerable your hearing really is.
“I still have a pretty bad ringing in my ears”
Last year, Rick from The Saints spoke openly about his hearing problems during the PLAFONDDIENST REBELLiON Special. “I’ve had surgery on my right ear.” Rick’s problems were caused by a cholesteatoma, a condition in which an abnormal growth behind the eardrum damages the tiny bones responsible for hearing. As a result, he ended up hearing 26 decibels less in his right ear than in his left. To put that into perspective: it’s roughly comparable to constantly wearing a single earplug.
After multiple surgeries and the placement of an artificial hearing bone, most of his hearing returned. However, one lasting consequence remained. “I still have a pretty bad ringing in my ears.” Rick underwent therapy to learn how to cope with tinnitus. “It doesn’t go away, you have to accept it. But you do learn how to deal with it. Stress makes tinnitus much worse. Whenever I’m going through a stressful period, I notice it immediately in my ears.”
Hearing problems can completely change your life
Adaro also knows how life-changing ear problems can be. Back in 2014, he disappeared from the spotlight for several months due to hyperacusis, a condition that makes everyday sounds seem painfully loud.
The impact was enormous. “Making phone calls was hell for me. I couldn’t listen to the radio or watch television, and when I talked to people, all I could hear were the S and T sounds.” At his lowest point, he wasn’t even sure if he would ever be able to perform again. “I was terrified that my passion and career were over.”
His story shows that hearing problems go far beyond simply having a ringing in your ears after an event. They can affect your work, your social life and your overall wellbeing.
That’s why Adaro always wore hearing protection
Remarkably, hearing tests showed that Adaro hadn’t suffered any hearing loss. According to him, there was one important reason for that. “I’ve been wearing hearing protection at events since I was eighteen, and I’ve never performed without earplugs in my life, so they’ve definitely done their job.”
That’s an important message. Hearing protection can’t prevent every type of ear problem, but it can significantly reduce the risk of hearing damage.
Protect your hearing before it’s too late
The stories of Rick and Adaro make one thing clear: your hearing isn’t indestructible. That’s why a good pair of earplugs is no longer just an accessory, but an essential part of your festival gear.
Stefan from D-Block & S-te-Fan agrees. As an artist, he’s exposed to high sound levels almost every weekend and knows exactly how important it is to protect his hearing. “The difference between performing with and without earplugs is huge. The fit is perfect. Good hearing protection is incredibly important to me. As an artist, I’m exposed to high sound levels every weekend, so I simply want to protect my hearing properly.”
Music earplugs like those from Pluggerz reduce the volume without compromising the music experience. You can still enjoy the kicks, melodies and vocals, while giving your ears the protection they need against prolonged exposure to high sound levels.
A quality pair of earplugs costs less than a festival ticket, but it can help ensure you’ll still be enjoying your favourite artists ten or even twenty years from now. Because no matter how loud the music gets, you only get one pair of ears.
