There is one tiny, yet extremely important, thing that you need to add to your packing list when you’re preparing for a show or a festival. Earplugs can make or break a rave experience, and long term you'll thank yourself for making the decision to protect your hearing when you were younger.
There’s nothing worse than coming home from a concert with that ringing in your ears. Plus, exposure to loud music for long periods of time can cause permanent damage like hearing loss or tinnitus. Don’t underestimate the importance of ear protection! Take care of your ears and you’ll have a much better time at shows now, and into the future.
The biggest misconception about wearing hearing protection at raves is that you won’t be able to hear the music. Don’t worry - you’ll still be able to hear clearly and enjoy the show! High fidelity earplugs are designed for performers and musicians, so you’ll enjoy all the sounds without causing any long-term damage to your ears.
Research shows that throughout the last 20 years, it’s become much more common for young people to experience hearing loss from going to clubs, concerts, and music festivals. Exposing yourself to loud music for long periods of time can directly cause hearing loss, which is easily prevented by the use of high fidelity earplugs.
A 2015 research study at an outdoor music festival in Amsterdam actually proved that people who did not wear earplugs at a music festival were more likely to develop noise-induced hearing loss. If you go to lots of raves and festivals each year, you are much more likely to eventually experience permanent hearing loss or tinnitus. So, do yourself a favor and protect your ears at every show you attend!
iHeartRaves sells a pair of high fidelity earplugs from Vibes, which protect your ears from damaging decibels and even filter and enhance music by balancing the sound waves through special tubes. These earplugs are less than $30, so why wait?!
It’s a good idea to keep your carrying case in your backpack or fanny pack so you can keep your earplugs safe before and after the show. Some earplugs even come with a connecting cord you can wear around your neck to avoid losing them.
If you’re still raving without hearing protection, now is your time to change your habits and protect yourself from any future damage.
