The importance of hearing protection at events
Don't beep tomorrow!
In the vibrant world of events, where beats are often at the heart of the experience, there is an invisible danger: hearing damage. Just like every ray of sunshine has an impact on your skin, every party has an impact on your ears. Too much, and the damage is permanent. Simon Renes, founder of effect group*, should know. After years of being exposed to high noise levels, he suffered hearing damage and always has a ringing in his ears. Also known as tinnitus: a beep that never goes away.
With “Don't Beep Tomorrow”, Simon wants people to be aware of the risk of hearing damage at events. But above all, that they realize that it is easy to prevent, so you don't have to beep about that annoying ringing in your ear afterwards. Hearing damage is insidious; you won't notice it until it's too late.
What drives you to put hearing protection on the agenda in the event industry?
Tinnitus started for me about 20 years ago, when almost no one thought about hearing protection. I have first-hand experience that the ringing in your ears is not just the aftermath of a good party, but can be a permanent thing.
I've learned how to deal with it. But I hear too many harrowing stories from people who go crazy because of that constant beep. Parties are great but shouldn't come at the expense of your hearing. And the solutions are so obvious: event organizers need to be aware of the noise level and the quality of sound. And visitors? They must wear hearing protection.
It all starts with awareness: just like you apply sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun, you need to protect your ears from too loud noise. If we ignore this too much, the damage is irreversible. I want everyone to understand this, that the industry is taking steps, and that wearing hearing protection will be as normal — and cool — as wearing sunglasses. Wouldn't it be nice that earplugs become a new gadget or cool piece of jewelry?
How has your approach to hearing protection changed in the 26 years you've been in the event industry?
When I started in the event industry, hearing protection was a chapter that didn't exist yet. I worked side by side with sound engineers who, due to years of exposure to loud music, were often almost deaf themselves. The result? The volume just got louder. I can still remember how we sometimes had to ask twenty times to turn down the sound and the person behind the controls really didn't know why people left the room.
The change came around the year 2000 when a sound engineer showed me earplugs for the first time — a concept that was completely new to me at the time. It took years before the widespread realization that hearing protection is essential, not only for the crew but also for visitors.
Flash forward to now: awareness has grown. Professionals wear custom-made earplugs, really crucial for our ears. And the great thing is, visitors are also increasingly wearing protection.
But it could be better. Although we have decibel meters and can manage the sound for a great experience, I still see that visitors to festivals and concerts pay too little attention to their hearing. Hearing protection is now often available at events, but the quality varies. The best thing to do is to have them customized and also choose your own filter. A musician probably wants a different filter than a visitor.
A party should be a party, even for your ears.
Is there enough attention for hearing damage?
The industry has woken up; there is more dialogue between key players in the market, including at government level. But let's be honest, it's still too informal. Every day, people suffer unnecessary hearing damage at events.
There is much to gain in our industry as well as among the general public. The government is aware, but social awareness is still insufficient. We need campaigns that promote hearing protection, just like the “Who's the Bob” campaign for responsible alcohol use. And what I said, you could also make earplugs cool.
Furthermore, the focus should not only be on preventing damage at major public events, but also on smaller occasions where the noise level can quickly become too high or the quality of the sound is poor. Also think of the pub around the corner and the party at the football club.
How do effects group* deal with protection against hearing damage?
Every effect-maker that works on live events you get custom-made earplugs. If there is amplified music, you wear it, period. We are in constant dialogue with our technical partners to manage the volume at our events. And we go one step further — we encourage our clients to offer their guests free hearing protection. We will then place “Don't beep tomorrow, hey” displays where you can get earplugs.
But we are not done yet. We want our technical suppliers to use visible decibel meters anytime, anywhere. So everyone — yes, including you in the back — knows exactly how loud the music is. Some suppliers are already working on this, but we're going for 100%.
How do you see the future of hearing protection in the event industry?
Hearing protection must integrate. Every event and location, big or small, should pay attention to this. By thinking about and working on it beforehand, a lot of misery can be prevented. As an organizer, location, or technician, you are responsible for hundreds or thousands of visitors. Good sound is craftsmanship. The quality of technology and crew is essential. With the right equipment and knowledge, we can create a safe yet impressive sound experience.
And needless to say, really everyone who works at an event (with amplified sound) should wear hearing protection. So also the security guard and the people behind the bar.
Visitors must be informed of the noise level and risks beforehand and on site, and you must be able to obtain earplugs on location. The best are earplugs that can filter the sound. These are highly effective and allow you to enjoy the music and have normal conversations. At the end of the evening, you won't have tired ears and you won't have to beep about that beep the next day.
My earplugs are transparent, because it was once thought you'd rather not show them. I see things differently now: this is the opportunity to transform hearing protection into an eye-catching gadget. Turn hearing protection into something fun. Imagine: earplugs in all colors of the rainbow or with your logo. Why not? The technology is there. We already proudly wear our in-ear headphones from top brands, so why not a set of stylish earplugs? Time for a revolution in hearing protection — and you're invited.
Every day, people suffer unnecessary hearing damage, which they will never get rid of.
What does everyone need to know about hearing loss?
That it occurs gradually and is irreversible. Wearing hearing protection at events is not only a treat for your ears, but also for your future self. Awareness and prevention are key.
The long-term effects of hearing damage can vary, but in many cases it leads to tinnitus, which is accompanied by constant ringing or whistling in the ears. This can have serious consequences for quality of life. The impact can be huge, ranging from people who avoid social events to those who quit life because of the constant beep. That sounds dramatic, right? But unfortunately, it is the hard truth.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to raise awareness. It does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a medical professional for specific advice on hearing damage and hearing protection.
How loud is too loud? Frequent exposure to noise levels above 85 decibels (dB) can lead to unnoticed hearing loss. At events, these levels often skyrocket to 100 dB or even more. In the Netherlands, we have guidelines that limit the noise at events to 103 dB. Still pleading experts, including the Health Council, ENT doctors and the Hoormij Foundation, for a further reduction to 100 dB. This seems like a small step, but it actually halves the pressure on our ears.
