According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, “One in eight people in the United States (13 percent, or 30 million) aged 12 years or older has hearing loss in both ears, based on standard hearing examinations.” If you’re among this population and you’re planning to see your favorite musical artist live in concert, you may be wondering how you can optimize the experience. Below, we review how to enjoy concerts for those with hearing loss.
Get Tickets Near the Stage
If you’re near the stage where the speakers are, you’ll experience less interference from other audience members. Plus, if there is an ASL interpreter, you’ll be able to see them better if you have a good spot.
Go with Friends
Concerts are never as fun when you go alone, so we recommend inviting at least one friend to go with you. If your friend hears well, they’ll be able to act as a guide when you need to turn your hearing aids down to prevent auditory overload.
Turn Off Your Hearing Aids
You should certainly bring your hearing aids so you can communicate with your friends before and after the concert; however, it will probably be the case that you need to turn them off during the show. Concerts are extremely loud, and you don’t want to risk damaging your hearing further. This is why recommend turning your hearing aids down, if not off.
Wear Hearing Protection
This is a good concert-goer tip whether you have hearing loss or not. The music alone can exceed 100 dB, and this doesn’t include the sound of the screaming fans. Over-ear hearing protection may be best if you wear hearing aids so you can wear them over your devices instead of having to take them out.
Be Prepared to Make Purchases
Whether you’re getting food, drinks or merch, know what you want before you get to the front of the line. You can look at a menu online or simply stand to the side and decide what you want before getting in line. Or, you can rely on one of the friends you brought along to navigate this transaction for you.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, call Advanced Hearing today.