Hearing charity urges people to wear earplugs during Christmas party season

Festive partygoers are being urged to wear earplugs to protect their hearing during the Christmas party season.

Charity Action on Hearing Loss recommended that people take steps to protect their hearing while in noise pubs and bars, as well as concerts.

Revellers should also avoid standing too long near speakers and take breaks from noisy environments, it advised.

Many people have experienced ringing in their ears but the charity estimates that some six million Britons are living with the sensation – called tinnitus – permanently.

Symptoms of the condition can last anywhere from a few hours to permanent damage.

Tinnitus can be related to age-related hearing loss but has also been linked to being exposed to loud noise.

Listening to any sound at a high volume – more than 85 decibels – can cause damage to the hair cells in the cochlea, leading to hearing loss and tinnitus.

MORE: Giant boulder smashes through wall into man’s bedroom during rockfall
MORE: Amber warnings as Britain told to expect blizzards, snow and freezing rain over the weekend

For many, the condition can be mildly annoying and can come and go, but for an estimated 600,000 people across the UK it has a serious impact on their quality of life.

There is no cure for tinnitus but Action on Hearing Loss said noise-related tinnitus and hearing loss are completely avoidable if people protect their ears.

Gemma Twitchen, senior audiologist at Action on Hearing Loss, said: “We don’t want people to stop going to music events and parties – that’s not what this is about.

“There is a misconception that if you wear earplugs you can’t hear or enjoy the music, but this is simply not true.

“Earplugs will block out the dangerous sound frequencies, still allowing you to listen to the music and enjoy it.”

People who experience symptoms of tinnitus for longer than a 24-hour period should go to see their GP, the charity said.

David Stockdale, chief executive of the British Tinnitus Association, said: “It’s always important to be mindful of noise levels throughout the year, but particularly during the festive season when many of us are out socialising in busy bars and restaurants and cranking up the Christmas tunes at home, too.

“Tinnitus can be caused by exposure to overly loud music and noise, so protecting your hearing is not only important, it’s essential.

“Once it’s damaged, hearing can’t be fixed – but it’s important to note that tinnitus from over-exposure to loud sounds can be prevented.

“There are some really simple ways to do this including using earplugs, taking regular breaks from the noise, making sure you don’t stand next to the speakers and also keeping hydrated.”