Photo credit: Drew Ressler/rukes.com
The awe of raves and festivals is a spectacle many have come to enjoy of the past few decades. EDM festivals and raves have drawn in music enthusiasts from all walk of life. With their pulsating beats, vibrant lights, and an atmosphere of sheer euphoria, it’s easy to get “lost in the sauce” of the stimulating experience. As a friendly reminder to our fellow Stage Hoppers, I want to take a few moments to recognize the significance of protecting your hearing! Especially for our newby ravers and festival goers, this may be something they have not considered. So please share with your festival squad! We all want to hopefully attend festivals, shaves, and shows for countless more hours right?
The Deafening Decibels
Amidst the dancing crowds and booming sound systems, have you ever felt that “stuffy” or “clogged” feeling in your ears? Well, thats definitely due to the intense volume of the music at these events. Sound levels can often exceed 100 decibels, equivalent to a jet engine’s roar. Prolonged exposure to such high decibels can cause permanent damage to the delicate hair cells in the inner ear responsible for translating sound into electrical signals for the brain to interpret. This damage can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and other auditory issues. Whether you are a rail-rider or a solo raver at the back of the pack, these issues can occur if not taken seriously. The impact is not always immediately apparent, but the damage can add up over time. Hearing loss is irreversible, so protecting your ears today will pay dividends in the future.
Preserving the Music Experience
EDM festivals are all about the music experience, and hearing loss can significantly diminish that enjoyment. As noise-induced hearing loss progresses, it can lead to difficulties discerning certain frequencies and nuances in music. By protecting your hearing, you can continue to fully appreciate the intricate melodies, powerful bass drops, and immersive soundscapes that make EDM events so extraordinary.
The Importance of Hearing Protection
First at foremost, individual responsibility is at the center of protecting your hearing. Having my favorite pair of earplugs ready to go is one of my top priorities when heading our for a three-day festival or one night show. I can’t speak on all the hearing protection out on the market but the two I have used have been Eargasm High Fidelity Ear Plugs and FLUXX Audio Custom Earplugs, The FLUXX are molded to my ear while the Eargasm are easily accessible. The purpose of High Fidelity Ear Plugs is to reduce the overall sound levels while still preserving the quality of the music. Having this is an option is a simple and proactive measure to protect your hearing.
Besides those, most events due have some form of earplugs at the medical tents or given out as you enter. Overall, event organizers, artists, and fellow ravers can all play a role in promoting safe party culture by providing information on hearing protection, offering earplug distribution, and monitoring sound levels during events.