Ears ringing after concert

[Primrose121]

four days ago I went to a concert. It was really loud. I have had ringing in my ears since and my ears feel blocked. I am hoping to get a doctor’s appointment on Monday . I am panicking I have permanently damaged by hearing. Has anyone else experienced this

Yes. It fades eventually.

Please go to the doctor, I don’t know if things will get better but if they don’t improve within a few weeks, go back, make a big fuss (don’t let them fob you off) and ask to be referred to Audiology.

I know this is alarming, but even if the damage is bad, it won’t be the end. You will quickly find ways to adapt and work around the loss (if there is one).

It's likely to be temporary tinnitus due to exposure to loud noise, concert music, and should resolve after a few days.

Tinnitus is a bastard. I know this because I've had it permanently for over five decades (due to hearing loss, not noise exposure).

This link has a few things you can do to help until you see your doctor.

Ears Ringing After Concert: 3 Ways to Stop It

I hope it resolves soon @Primrose121

Thanks all. I am definitely going to see the doctor on Monday. I am kicking myself as I went with a friend as a last minute thing .

Unfortunately exposure to really high dB levels can damage your hearing (and it doesn’t take long - maybe 20 minutes exposure?). Definitely ask for a referral. Also, invest in some hearing protection (i think loop make different types of ear plugs) - a friend who plays the drums & also goes to loud gigs wears loop ear plugs at these times.

Thanks for your advice. Don’t think im
ever going to a gig again. I thought it would fade after a few days. Hopefully I can get an appointment for Monday

I'm sure it will fade. I went to a Motorhead gig years ago and was pretty much deaf for days afterwards.

I always wear ear plugs now. You can completely enjoy the music but suffer no after effects. When I look around at gigs I can see most people are wearing them.

I went to the doctors and said it should ease within a few weeks. My one ear is still painful and ringing in that ear. I am so worried as this doesn’t seem to be ending

I had this after a concert but it is temporary and will fade. It will be difficult to know if there is any permanent damage - it was years ago and I can still hear perfectly.

It will probably fade but these concerts damage your hearing long term, no doubt about it.

I had this after a concert. It wasn’t temporary and didn’t fade. It’s still with me, nearly 30 years on.

It was a last minute thing with a friend. It was so loud. In the meantime I have had the flu with a chesty cough. I am really beating myself up for going. There have been lots of tears today. I just want it to go away. I am surprised the doctor didn’t give me anything for it

I had someone literally screaming in my ear at a concert year before last (took daughter to Harry Styles - grown adult woman screaming next to me). Ear was really painful afterwards and now I'm sure that ear has some hearing loss.

Now I wear ear plugs.

I’m sorry OP there is nothing the doctor could have given you for it. It is a matter of waiting to see if it resolves in a few weeks and if not, then look at options on how to work around the situation.

This may sound like an incredible bad luck for you, and it is in a way, but believe me, there are a lot of people around you with hearing loss and they don’t even know they have it, so try to stay positive, even if you have some loss, it won’t be the end of the world.

I have a 40% loss in both ears and I can say that unless I mention it, most people do not notice it and I would go as far as saying that I have friends who have bigger hearing problems than me and they still believe their hearing is normal.

I have tinnitus too and think I got it from a concert. What time of earplugs do people recommend?

For what it's worth, ear plugs don't take away from the music. I've worn them at Wembley stadium and could stil hear really well. Even my teens used them.

I have NO idea how I got away lightly at gigs in my teens and twenties.

Another recommendation for Loops here. I'm not a fan of loud noise from a sensory point of view and have slight tinnitus (probably due to menopause) and wore Loops to the Eras tour last year. Couldn't believe the difference they made tbh, I could hear perfect (though my own voice sounded a bit loud but apparently I was actually speaking v quietly), maybe a little ringing afterwards but didn't affect me sleeping and was fine the next morning

Alpine filters. And always use the highest attenuation inserts for music and where there could be explosive noises, such as fireworks, gunshots (false or real) or - and I am not joking about this in the slightest - sodding balloons as there are always a few muppets that think it's funny to pop them and the SpL/frequency of a balloon is just perfect for sustaining instant permanent damage.

Yes, I have a friend who permanently damaged his hearing by standing next to a speaker at a gig.

Always wear ear plugs when you go to a gig. The noise levels can be insane.

op - how are you now? I had this. Took ages but it did go away

I have hearing problems, my ENT consultant said whenever I felt my hearing going to take a short course (7 days of 30mg presidone) of steroids ASAP. I had a prescription on hand for it. Worked a couple of times over the years.

I agree to get loops. My son used to play in a band so o used the Experience ones as I was exposed to a lot of loud noise.

My hearing loss is idiopathic though.

Thanks all for you comments and advice. I went to A and E as it wasn’t getting any better. The doctor said because of the loud music immediately followed by a bad cold with an awful cough. I have an ear infection in both ears. I am on the second day of antibiotics and a steroid spray. Fed up but hoping the antibiotics work. I really didn’t realise how to take your ears for granted

@Primrose121 Hope it all helps and you feel better soon x