What Attending a Summer Concert Is Actually Doing to Your Ears

Not just rock concerts.

I have seen people at very loud concerts with infants.

http://mic.com/articles/88631/what-attending-a-summer-concert-is-actually-doing-to-your-ears

By Jordan Taylor Sloan July 30, 2014

It's summer concert season, but before you go buying tickets to Jay Z and Beyoncé's On The Run tour, consider this: According to the National Institutes of Health, less than a minute of attending a live rock concert can cause permanent damage to your hearing.

As live music has become increasingly popular for our age group, hearing loss is on the rise, too. The phenomenon once associated with old age is suddenly massively prevalent among young people.

And that has more serious consequences than enjoying concerts less. Hearing loss isn't only about your ears — it's been linked to memory failure too. Researchers have found that it actually speeds up dementia, and is linked to a rate of cognitive decline that's 30% to 40% more rapid than those with normal hearing.

•••••

When those hair cells get pressed down too frequently or for too long, they lose their sensitivity. This induces tinnitus, a permanent ringing in the ear that tons of musicians — including famous synth act Grimes — suffer from.

•••••

the human body can't repair damaged hearing receptors.

•••••

the most recommended tactic for preventing hearing loss is wearing ear protection — whether it's high quality ear plugs or simply rolled up toilet paper.