Ending my Hearing Loss Isolation
March 14, 2016
Upgrading my hearing aids to Phonak CROS II
March 16, 2016Ask Anna: Why do my ears ring after band practice?
Ask Anna is a weekly advice column for the hearing loss community.
Dear Anna: I’m a 26-year-old musician and occasionally play live shows with my band. Recently I’ve noticed after the shows that I have ringing in my ear. I remember this phenomenon from when I would go to concerts as a teenager, but it always went away after a couple hours. But, I’ve recently heard stories of other musicians having ringing in their ears that never goes away. Why do my ears ring after practice? Is it too late to save my hearing? – Music to my Ears in Vancouver
Dear Music,
The ringing you experience after exposing your ears to loud noise is very common. It does not indicate that you will eventually develop a permanent ringing in your ears (also known as tinnitus), however, it does indicate is that the noise level is too high.
To prevent any permanent damage to your ears you need to protect them against loud noise. There are many different types of ear plugs either over the counter or custom made that you can purchase to lower the level of sound reaching your eardrum. There are also ear plugs specially designed for musicians to wear while performing.
Here are a selection of possible ear protection, from Hear the World Foundation:
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- Ear plugs with frames
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- Expanding foam ear plugs
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- Pre-shaped ear plugs
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- Custom ear molds
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- Capsule ear protection
Speak to a hearing care professional to find out what type of solution would be best for you.
Do you have a question for Anna? Email: feedback@hearinglikeme.com
The information provided through this website should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Hearing Like Me website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency medical services immediately.
