As the August bank holiday weekend rolls in, music lovers are looking forward to music events across the UK. Meanwhile, our new research reveals that Gen Z adults (aged 20-29) are taking huge risks with their hearing, possibly leading to permanent damage.
Our new Don’t Lose the Music quiz and campaign shares with Gen Z how earplugs and following some simple tips can help.
Losing the music: Gen Z risk of hearing damage
Our survey shows that a startling 83% of Gen Z adults have experienced ringing, buzzing or muffled hearing after listening to loud music or attending an event, with 10% saying they experience it regularly.
While these effects can initially be temporary, repeated exposure to loud sounds can risk hearing damage becoming permanent, leaving people to manage hearing loss or invasive tinnitus for the rest of their lives.
The findings highlight the scale of the issue among young people who are regularly exposed to loud music at gigs, music festivals, and nightclubs. More than a quarter of Gen Z adults attend loud music events at least once a week, while over half attend at least once a month.
- Wear earplugs: Music earplugs are designed to reduce volume while keeping sound quality clear, helping you to enjoy the music more safely.
- Step away from the speakers: The closer you are to the source of the sound, the greater the risk to your hearing.
- Take listening breaks: Give your ears time to recover by spending regular periods away from the loudest areas.
The lack of awareness in the UK
Unlike other European countries, wearing hearing protection is not yet the norm for young people in the UK. Just 7% of Gen Z adults say they have always used earplugs at loud music events in the last 12 months, while only one in five said they often wear them. Concerningly, a third of Gen Z adults said they have rarely or never worn hearing protection, and one quarter still say they’d feel ‘embarrassed’ to be seen wearing ear plugs.
At loud music events, young people are more likely to stay hydrated (51%), charge their phone (46%) or wear comfortable footwear (43%) than regularly wear earplugs (35%).
Misconceptions about earplugs
Although earplugs have become more popular in recent years, our research shows there is still a long way to go: 37% believe they reduce sound quality, and more than a third think they are uncomfortable – both of which aren’t the case with modern earplugs. Other reasons include forgetting to bring them to the event (28%). Worryingly, nearly a quarter of people said they thought or they don’t need them.
We also found a clear gap between awareness and concern. Despite four in five of Gen Z adults knowing that repeated exposure to loud sounds can cause permanent hearing damage, almost half have rarely or never thought about the impact on their own hearing over the past year. Worryingly, nearly a quarter said they never think about damaging their hearing at all.
Protecting what matters
Repeated and prolonged exposure to high sound levels can pose a risk to hearing or cause tinnitus (experiencing sounds not caused by an outside source) and is one of the biggest causes of hearing loss.
Thankfully, lasting damage is preventable by taking simple steps to protect our hearing – such as wearing ear plugs when attending live events. Protecting your hearing doesn’t have to change the way you enjoy music. Reusable music earplugs only block the harmful sounds, keeping the music sounding clear and improving the experience.
Franki Oliver, Audiology Manager at RNID, said:
For lots of us, life’s best moments come with a soundtrack – whether it’s a festival, a packed-out gig, a club night or your favourite playlist, it’s how we connect, celebrate and make memories. If you want to keep it that way, it’s really important to enjoy music safely and protect our hearing health.
Our new research highlights just how often young people could be exposing their ears to dangerously loud music. Ringing, buzzing or muffled hearing after listening to loud music, sometimes described as a ‘hearing hangover’, is a warning sign that your ears have been exposed to damaging levels of noise. While symptoms may fade, repeated exposure can lead to permanent hearing loss and tinnitus, often without you noticing until it’s too late.
The good news is that protecting your hearing doesn’t have to be complicated. Small actions such as wearing good quality earplugs, stepping away from the speakers or taking listening breaks can make a big difference and improve your experience. Taking these simple steps to protect your hearing today means you won’t lose the music tomorrow.”
Advice from Gen Z music lovers
Of course, some young adults are already taking protecting their hearing seriously. Jessie Roux, television personality who appeared on Series 4 of The Traitors, says becoming more aware of her own hearing health in recent years has prompted her to take protecting her hearing more seriously. She said:
I love live music and go to gigs at least once a month. When I’m not at a concert, I’m out with friends on a night out, at karaoke, or enjoying bottomless brunch. I also work in a busy salon with constant hairdryers, music and chatter, so loud environments are a regular part of my life.
Over the past few years, I’ve become much more conscious of making choices now that will help me keep doing the things I love for years to come. For me, that includes protecting my hearing by wearing earplugs so that I can keep enjoying gigs, live music and nights out.
It can be easy to forget about the long-term impact that loud music can have when you’re having fun, but I’d much rather get into the habit of protecting my hearing now than risk missing out on the things I love and wish I’d done more. Everyone should make hearing protection part of their normal night-out essentials, alongside your phone, ID and lipstick!”
Natalie is a 36-year-old content creator and DJ from Belfast who was diagnosed with noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus two years ago, which she attributes to years of regular exposure to loud music at gigs, festivals and clubs since her early teens.
She said:
Finding out that I had noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus was devastating, because music has always been a huge part of my life. Growing up, nobody really talked about protecting your hearing, and I didn’t realise the risks of repeated exposure to loud music when I was regularly going to gigs and festivals in my teens.
“I’d often experience ringing in my ears after events, but I assumed it was normal as it would disappear, until one day it didn’t. I now know that temporary ringing can be a warning sign of hearing damage, but by the time I understood that, the damage was already permanent.
“I now wear earplugs whenever I’m in a loud environment – they don’t stop you enjoying the music, they simply help protect your hearing. While I can’t undo what’s happened, I hope sharing my experience encourages others to take protecting their hearing seriously. Don’t make the mistake I did and look after your ears, we only get one pair of them!”
Don’t Lose the Music
We’re helping music lovers understand the risks of loud music and how to look after their hearing. Find out your listening style and how to protect your hearing in our Don’t Lose the Music quiz.