Earplugs and Concerts.

[LillianLexicon97]

Dear Dr. Nagler,
I've recently come across some threads regarding the attendance of concerts, discussing how despite earplugs tinnitus can still be aggravated and permanently worsened through bone conduction. I just wanted your opinion on this. Should people still attend concerts/festivals? Should we just avoid any event louder than 85+ decibels?

 

[Dr. Nagler]

I've recently come across some threads regarding the attendance of concerts, discussing how despite earplugs tinnitus can still be aggravated and permanently worsened through bone conduction.

Lillian, I understand your concern. Let me put it this way ... if you are looking for 100% guarantees, then in tinnitus you have absolutely chosen the wrong affliction. But that said, I think that the chances of tinnitus' being aggravated and made permanently worse through bone conduction when using good earplugs at a concert are extremely remote.

I just wanted your opinion on this. Should people still attend concerts/festivals?

In my opinion, YES. Just use earplugs. Regardless of whether or not they have tinnitus, everybody attending loud concerts or loud sporting events should use earplugs.

Should we just avoid any event louder than 85+ decibels?

No!!! In fact the day after tomorrow, my wife and I will be attending a Rolling Stones concert here in Atlanta. And I'm quite sure it will be louder than 85+ decibels.

Dr. Stephen Nagler