The best Las Vegas getaways are a feast for all the senses. A good buffet can tempt your tastebuds while a massage at one of the city’s many spas appeals to the sense of touch. And, of course, all that neon and over-the-top casino architecture provides a feast for the eyes. Your ears are also bombarded while in Vegas, whether it’s the cascading sound of coins coming from slot machines or the noise from the shows for which the so-called Sin City is famous.
At Hearing Associates of Las Vegas, we believe everyone deserves to hear the sound of music. We provide a large selection of hearing aids, many equipped with the latest in hearing technology. We’re also advocates of preventative measures that can help keep you from experiencing hearing loss. Here are a few tips on how and why to protect your hearing while enjoying a Las Vegas concert.
Concerts Can Be Hard On Your Hearing
Vegas always has a full roster of concerts from which to choose, whether you catch a one-night gig by your favorite musical act or treat yourself to an extravaganza put on by one of the musical legends with ongoing Las Vegas residencies. A few notable residencies include:
- Country music trio Lady Antebellum (Palms Casino, starting February 2019)
- Chanteuse Céline Dion, who ends her 8-year residency at Caesar’s Palace in June 2019
- Legendary rock band Aerosmith (Park MGM, starting April 2019)
- R&B songstress Mariah Carey (Caesars Palace)
- Pop sensation Britney Spears (Park MGM, resuming February 2019)
Great concerts can be unforgettable experiences. Unfortunately, they can be hard on your ears and even cause hearing loss, regardless of genre. Noise is the most common cause of hearing loss, with noise-induced hearing loss affecting some 26 million Americans, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
It’s All About The Numbers
Normal conversation levels are in the range of 65 decibels, which helps put the potentially damaging din of concerts in perspective. Concerts—with those pumped-up sound systems that let you feel the noise as well as hear it—can become as loud as between 100 and 120 decibels. That’s not including the fans that surround you, screaming for their music idols and singing along with the songs.
If you want to gauge the noise level of your next concert or sporting event, there are several free apps you can download that provide sound level meters for your smartphone. You can compare the noise you’re hearing to the following sobering statistics. Hearing loss can occur after:
- 2 hours of exposure to 91db of noise
- 15 minutes of exposure to 100 dB of noise
- 2 minutes of exposure to 110 dB of sound
Clearly the danger of developing concert-induced hearing loss or tinnitus is clearly very real, particularly if you’re parked too close to the stage or speakers.
Earplugs Can Help Keep Concertgoers’ Hearing Intact
Your best bet is to wear earplugs to your next Las Vegas concert. You may be asking, though, what kind of earplugs? You should probably avoid using those squishy disposable foam earplugs you can find at any drugstore because along with lowering the volume you’re hearing, they tend to muffle music.
High-fidelity earplugs, by contrast, preserve the sound quality of music while lowering the volume to a safer listening level. If you want earplugs that are less visible and more comfortable, our hearing specialist can provide you with custom-molded earplugs that perfectly fit the measurements of your ear canal. Tailored ear protection is just one of the many services we provide at Hearing Associates of Las Vegas.
If you are among “those about to rock,” to borrow a phrase from the old AC/DC song, contact us today for your appointment to be fitted with custom earplugs. We also stand ready to help you if you’re concerned excessive noise has already caused hearing loss.
info@hearingassociateslv.com
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