Heather Malyuk: Can loud music damage your hearing?

Can loud music damage your hearing?

After a concert, you find it difficult to hear your friend rave about the show. It sounds like they're speaking from across the room, and it's tough to make out their voice over the ringing in your ears. But, by the next morning, the effect has mostly worn off. So what caused these symptoms? And can you go to concerts without damaging your ears? Heather Malyuk explores the properties of sound. [Directed by Anne Beal, narrated by Bethany Cutmore-Scott, music by Michael MacDonald].

Exposure to a three-hour metal concert can leave ears ringing and voices sounding distant, a phenomenon known as temporary threshold shift. Loud sounds—especially those over 120 decibels—can instantly damage fragile hair cells in the inner ear, but even moderate sounds can harm hearing if experienced for long periods. While most temporary hearing loss resolves with rest, repeated exposure to high volumes risks permanent damage. Simple habits like annual check-ups, using earplugs, and managing headphone volume can help safeguard hearing for the future.