09/14/2025
Go to a concert and forgot ear plugs?
Ears ringing? Difficult to hear?
Attending loud concerts can lead to several types of hearing issues, each varying in severity and duration. Understanding these conditions helps in recognizing symptoms early and seeking appropriate care.
Tinnitus: Tinnitus is characterized by a persistent ringing, buzzing, or humming sound in the ears. This condition occurs when loud sounds damage the hair cells in the cochlea, causing them to send false signals to the brain. While tinnitus after a concert is often temporary, repeated exposure can lead to chronic tinnitus, requiring professional intervention.
Temporary Threshold Shift (TTS): TTS refers to a temporary reduction in hearing sensitivity, often experienced as muffled or distorted sounds. This occurs when the ear’s hair cells are overstimulated by loud noise, reducing their responsiveness. Symptoms typically resolve within a few hours to days, but frequent occurrences can lead to permanent hearing loss.
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL): Repeated exposure to high-decibel sounds can cause permanent damage to the auditory nerves and hair cells, resulting in Noise-Induced Hearing Loss.
How to help: Dr. Christina Lawrence has shared advice on how to help minimize the damage and improve recovery.
1. Antioxidant Blast: Load up on antioxidants the day after the injury. Focus on berries, dark leafy greens and avoid carbohydrates.
2. Lessen salt for 24 hours.
3. Avoid sugar.
4. Eat Omega 3 rich foods - Fatty Fish, Avocado and Chia Seeds.
5. Rest! Relax and Unwind - Sometimes needed after a great show. Try an extended expiration breathing routine - Breathe in for a count of 4 - breathe out to a count of 6.
Recommends Boosting up Vitamin C, Glutathione, Gingko biloba, B12 and B6 vitamins to calm the nervous system and increase blood flow to the inner ear.