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  4. Protect your hearing

Protect your hearing

Loud noise is one of the biggest causes of permanent hearing loss and tinnitus (noise in your ears or head). Find out how and why you should protect your ears from loud noise.

Two people dancing at a festival wearing hearing protection

How loud is too loud?

A guide to understanding different noise levels to help you know when your hearing could be at risk.

Listen to music safely

How loud music can cause hearing loss and tinnitus – and how to keep your ears safe.

Noise at work

If you are in a noisy job, your employer must take steps to protect your hearing.

Types of hearing protection

Ear defenders and earplugs can protect your hearing in different situations.


Related content

Research to prevent hearing loss

We fund research to learn more about the causes of hearing loss, so we can develop ways to prevent it.

About tinnitus

Tinnitus is noise that you can hear inside one ear, both ears or in your head. It can be there all the time or come and go.

Page last updated: 4 September 2025

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© RNID is the trading name of the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID). Registered charity in England, Wales (207720) and Scotland (SC038926). Registered company in England and Wales (454169).

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