How to look after your hearing at Glastonbury

Published 27 May 2019  | Updated 18 December 2022  | 3 mins read

Glastonbury Festival 2019 opens its doors on 26th June, and alongside the mud, music and camping there’s something else to consider: your hearing.

Listening to live music evokes a euphoria like no other, but it’s important to understand the risks of loud music to our hearing. There’s nothing like seeing music legends perform your favourite tracks in the flesh, but we all have to be aware of the potential damage we’re doing to our hearing.

But how loud is too loud?

When it’s gone, it’s gone

The thing about our hearing is that once it’s gone, it doesn’t come back. While we can emulate with hearing devices and aids, our natural hearing can never be restored. This is due to the sensitivity of the cochlea in the inner ear: 16,000 microscopic hair cells convert vibration to sound, but once damaged, these hair cells are irreparable.

To prevent this from happening, the World Health Organisation recommends we take precautions if we’re being exposed to any sounds over 85 decibels (about the noise level of a vacuum cleaner). And if there’s an event likely to exceed 85 decibels, it’s Glasto. Entertaining 135,000 music lovers needs a stellar sound system. When The Who performed at Glastonbury in 2007 it measured 103 decibels. Now that’s loud!

How can we protect our hearing?

It’s a question worth asking, and there are a variety of steps you can take to do exactly that. The Eavis family have been organising Glastonbury since 1970, and they know how damaging loud music can be to your hearing.

The official Glastonbury Festival 2019 website advises on how you can minimise prolonged exposure to loud noise when you’re at the festival.

While staying away from the PA stacks will help, you can go one better: wear ear plugs. It might seem strange at first, but packing ear plugs for a festival will enable you to enjoy your favourite music while preserving your hearing. Browse the market for ear plugs that lower the volume – but crucially not the clarity.

Attending Glastonbury with hearing loss

Action On Hearing Loss estimates around 11 million people suffer from hearing loss in the UK. That’s around one in six of us. Glastonbury Festival welcomes anyone with hearing loss, so there’s no need to miss out.

Assisted listening devices, which aid hearing-impaired people in noisy environments, are available onsite. Induction Loops can be found at a number of meeting points throughout the site, with the advice being for customers to look for the T symbol signs.

Arrange your free consultation today

If you would like to find out more about custom hearing protection and how best to look after your hearing, arrange a free consultation with one of our expert THCP audiologists today.

You can book an appointment online in your nearest THCP practice or you can call us on 0800 52 00 546 to get booked in.