In the middle of festival season: how to protect your children's hearing during a concert ?

Concerts, festivals : 70 % des Français ne protègent ni leur audition ni celle de leurs enfants

Summer time rhymes with festivals. A recent survey revealed that only 27% of French people protect their hearing during festivals, concerts and other musical events. An attitude which is not without risks for the ears.

According to the Ifop barometer – JNA Tinnitus 2024, published last February, between 15 and 18 million French people suffer or have suffered from tinnitus. Even more alarming, 3 to 5 million young people under the age of 35 are permanently affected by this disorder.

Excessive noise levels at festive events, such as festivals, are being singled out. Attendees frequently report symptoms such as ringing in the ears (tinnitus), buzzing and reduced hearing. Prolonged exposure to these intense noises also affects general well-being, causing irritability, nervousness and sleep disorders.

Putting hearing on hold

The PESA study (Social and Economic Weight of Tinnitus), conducted jointly by the JNA association and France Acouphènes, shows that the onset of tinnitus occurs on average around the age of 40, often following acoustic trauma such as that which can occur during a concert.

Fortunately, these hearing problems are largely avoidable. Simple preventive measures can be adopted:

Maintain a distance of at least 2 meters from the speakers; Use earplugs when the volume exceeds 102 dB (knowing that a concert can reach 140 dB); Take regular breaks in quiet areas; After exposure to high sound levels, rest in a quiet environment.

Experts recommend vigilance: if symptoms such as whistling, buzzing or a feeling of blocked ears persist, a medical consultation within 24 hours is strongly recommended.