Ear-plug brands appeal to music fans with hearing protection
Every music fan has a list of essential gig and festival accessories, but one item is becoming increasingly popular.
If you attended one of Harry Styles' recent Wembley shows, you might have noticed other fans wearing ear plugs, or you might be preparing a pair for K-pop megastars BTS arriving in the UK next week.
When 26-year-old Paula shows beat her ear plugs at Radio 1's Big Weekend, the small, v-shaped devices catch the sunlight.
It is well known that exposure to loud music can damage hearing, and small foam ear plugs have long been available at venues.
However, Paula and other young people like her are increasingly choosing a newer type designed to look fashionable while also providing protection from harmful noise.
She has become more aware of protecting her hearing after attending music events for work and says she always wears them at live gigs and festivals.
The manufacturers also claim certain designs can filter out unwanted noise to make on-stage acts sound clearer, something Paula confirms.
"They drown out the crowd a little bit and bring down the bass, because sometimes it can be really overwhelming and you can't hear properly," she says.
Looking around this festival, Paula is clearly not alone.
Paula says she thinks live music can sound better using some types of ear-plugs.
"I feel like most of my friends are talking about trying to protect their hearing a bit more," says Amira, 21, at Radio 1's Big Weekend.
"I think it's more of a common thing coming up."
In recent years, brands such as Loop, Alpine, and Hears have become more common among gig-goers.
These companies position themselves as lifestyle brands and invest heavily in social media advertising targeting young music fans.
They aim to give their products sleek designs offered in various colours that can be matched to outfits or accessories.
Amira says she does not currently use ear plugs but is interested in getting a pair to protect her hearing.
Loop's website features images of people wearing their devices in casual, fun settings, and the brand has collaborated with festivals such as Coachella and Tomorrowland.
Alpine CEO Arthur van Keeken says their ear plugs have been popular with "younger, urban people"—the exact audience for these events.
He believes this group is more conscious of hearing protection and envisions a future where music fans view ear protection as skiers do helmets.
Hearing loss is a common disability
The British Association of Audiologists—experts in diagnosing and treating ear problems—state that hearing loss is among the most common disabilities.
According to the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), about one in three UK adults is affected.
The charity's audiology manager Franki Oliver explains that, under a microscope, the sound-sensing cells in our ears and their tiny hairs resemble a patch of grass at a festival.
"The first day, the grass looks absolutely beautiful," she says. "Nice and green."
"After the first couple of days, it's OK. But at the end of the weekend it's looking pretty dead and it's probably not coming back."
"The same thing is happening with our ears when we expose them to loud noises."
Oliver says it is positive that ear plugs are increasingly seen as an "accessory to a night out, rather than something you have to use."
However, she notes that, like our ears, ear plugs are not all created equal.
Oliver advises consumers to verify that any ear plugs they purchase are effective.
She suggests checking that products comply with safety regulations and paying attention to the single number rating (SNR), where a higher number indicates greater protection.
Proper fit is also crucial; if ear plugs are too loose and do not form a proper seal, they will not work effectively.
Most brands offer multiple sizes to ensure correct fitting.
When used according to instructions, Oliver says ear plugs can help prevent a "hearing hangover"—sore or ringing ears after attending a gig or festival.
'I do believe they saved my hearing'
For performers exposed to loud music night after night, hearing protection is also a significant concern.
Radio 1 DJ Sarah Story welcomes the growing use of ear plugs in live venues but believes awareness could be improved.
The Future Dance host, who regularly performs live and has done club seasons in Ibiza, has been using ear plugs since she was 19.
She was encouraged by her brother, who developed tinnitus—a ringing or buzzing sound caused by prolonged exposure to loud noise—to start wearing them.
"I do believe they actually saved my hearing," she says.
Sarah explains that ear plugs, which can dampen extreme sound frequencies that cause distortion, offer additional benefits.
"When you wear them you can just talk at a normal level and you don't end up losing your voice," she says.
"I used to lose my voice all the time when I was out."
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