WHAT IS TINNITUS? EVERYTHING ABOUT RINGING IN THE EARS AND HOW TO PREVENT IT
Tinnitus – also known as ringing in the ears – is the experience of hearing sound that isn't there. Think of a persistent beep, noise, or whistle in your ear without an external sound source. In this article, you'll learn how tinnitus develops, how loud music plays a major role, and what you can do to prevent permanent hearing damage.
Tinnitus – also known as ringing in the ears – is the experience of hearing sound that isn't there. Think of a persistent beep, noise, or whistle in your ear, which you hear without an external sound source. It feels as if your head itself is making noise, and that's actually true.
These sounds arise because your brain becomes overstimulated by (too) loud sounds. After, for example, a loud concert or a night out in a club, your ears can be temporarily overloaded. Your auditory nerve then no longer sends normal signals, and your brain 'fills the gap' with self-generated sound.
Initially, tinnitus is often temporary. However, if you are regularly exposed to loud music or noise without protection, it can become permanent. And you want to prevent that – because chronic tinnitus has no cure and can significantly affect your sleep, focus, and daily life.
How does tinnitus occur from loud music?
Loud music damages the small hair cells in your inner ear. These hair cells translate sound vibrations into signals for your brain. If these cells get damaged – for example, after a festival or concert without earplugs – then the signals become distorted.
Your brain receives too little input and tries to fill this 'silence' with a sound that isn't there. That's how the beep starts.
Especially at sound levels above 100 dB (which is normal at many events), this can happen within 15 minutes. If this occurs more often, the hair cells recover less well – and the tinnitus becomes chronic.
| Environment | Average Sound Level | Safe Exposure Time |
|---|---|---|
| Club | 100 dB | Up to 15 minutes |
| Rave | 105 dB | Less than 5 minutes |
| Concert (indoor) | 100 dB | Up to 15 minutes |
| Festival (indoor stage) | 102 dB | About 10 minutes |
| Festival (outdoor stage) | 97 dB | Up to 30 minutes |
Hearing Protection: The Key to Prevention
The best way to prevent tinnitus is simple: protect your hearing in time.
With earplugs like Pearls, you filter out harmful sound levels without losing your music experience. Thanks to the advanced acoustic filter, all details remain audible, but at a safe volume. And with the Switchable Modes, you can choose how strong you want to dampen – depending on where you are. Stage Mode and Social Mode are precisely tuned so you can easily choose what suits your needs.
Prevention is much easier than treatment. And honestly? A beep in your ear is really not the souvenir you want to keep from your favorite festival or concert!
