With the music festival season in full swing and big-name acts kicking-off tours across the summer, a new survey[1] has revealed that over half of Gen Z have experienced hearing problems after exposure to loud music.
The research, from RNID – the national charity supporting people who are deaf, have hearing loss, or tinnitus – shows that 58%[2] of Gen Z (age 18 – 28) have experienced hearing loss, tinnitus or both after listening to music. For most people these effects are initially temporary, but over time they can risk becoming permanent and impacting many areas of life.
The results highlight the extent to which Gen Z experience hearing problems due to exposure to loud music at gigs, music festivals and nightclubs. This is despite three quarters (75%)[3] of people in the survey saying they think there is a risk of permanent hearing damage when exposed to noise in nightclubs or music festivals, and 76%[4] saying there is a risk at gigs.
The survey also found that over a third of Gen Z (35%[5]) didn’t plan to wear protection such as earplugs at live music events this year, a rate similar to all other age groups in the survey.
Despite the apparent low concern around the dangers of exposure to loud music, RNID’s survey suggests several factors that would make Gen Z – and all age groups – more open to taking steps like wearing earplugs to protect their hearing.
Just over a quarter (28%) said they would be more willing to wear earplugs if they could still enjoy live music whilst wearing them, over one in five (23%) if earplugs were more comfortable and over one in five (22%) if earplugs were available for free at the event.
Franki Oliver, Audiology Manager at RNID, said: “These findings highlight just how often people are experiencing the dangerous side effects of being exposed to loud music, despite people’s apparent high awareness of the risks.
“Exposure to loud sound levels is one of the leading causes of hearing loss and tinnitus – but it’s also one of the most preventable – so it’s encouraging to see that more people would be willing to take steps to protect their hearing if they knew they’d still enjoy the full live music experience.”
“The good news is that using good quality earplugs, or taking other simple steps like not standing too close to the speakers, means you can still enjoy the magic of live music. Many people are surprised by how clearly they can still hear even with earplugs, as they simply help take the edge off the loudest sound levels.
“What’s more, if you forget to bring a pair, earplugs are available for free at most festival bars, music venues, and nightclubs. All you have to do is ask.”
Top tips for protecting your hearing at live events:
- Grab some earplugs. Earplugs come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and in a range of prices, from reusable filtered ear plugs for clubbers and gig goers, to more high-tech custom-made versions for professionals. You can even get them in a range of different colours and designs. Whatever your preference, earplugs are great for protecting your hearing, whether you’re on a night out or at a music festival. And if you forget, don’t worry – most venues will have free earplugs available behind the bar (you just need to ask).
- Avoid the speakers. Whether you’re in a venue, festival field or nightclub, try and stay away from the speakers. The closer you are the greater the risk, and even short bursts of loud noise can cause hearing damage.
- Take a break. Take regular breaks from the loudest areas to give your ears a rest, around five minutes for every hour. Chill-out zones in clubs are perfect for this.
Pop singer and producer Lemar, who is currently on a summer tour with X-Factor winner Olly Murs, shared his own personal experience of hearing damage and encouraged music fans to protect their hearing.
He said: “Having a career in the music industry means I’ve pushed my ears to the limit. Now I live with tinnitus – something I have to manage every day. It’s why I want everyone to understand the risks of exposure to loud music and protect your hearing.
“But I also want people to know that protecting your hearing doesn’t mean missing out. Whether it’s a gig or music festival you can still have an incredible experience – it just takes a few easy-to-remember steps. Grab some earplugs, don’t stand too close to the speakers and take breaks to give your ears a rest. Whatever your music plans this summer, these small actions can make a big difference.”
“With tinnitus, there are ways I manage it. Limiting loud music is one of them, so when I’m on stage I wear in-ears and I try and turn volumes down and limit the amount of noise that’s around me.
“Usually I don’t sleep unless there’s a little bit of noise in the background. It could be a TV, or sometimes I have headphones on and I listen to the ocean or something like that. If you have tinnitus, you’re not alone. If you don’t – please protect your ears this summer.”
Caris Lount, 23, a social media influencer and author of the Tinnitus Cookbook, from Rugeley in Staffordshire, has had tinnitus for most of her life. It is an issue that became more pronounced after visiting loud venues like nightclubs during university.
She said: “For as long as I can remember, tinnitus has been a part of my life. Fast forward to university and my tinnitus became an especially tough obstacle. The constant noise made it hard to focus on lectures or study, and even socialising became difficult.
“You might not notice the damage you’re doing right away when it comes to loud noise exposure, but your ears don’t forget. That ringing people sometimes hear is our body’s way of saying you’ve pushed it too far.”
“If you’re heading to a festival, gig or nightclub this summer I’d encourage people to do the most simple and safest thing – grab some earplugs and pop them in your bag. Hearing truly matters and although we might take it for granted now, we miss it when it’s gone.”
For more information about hearing protection, visit www.rnid.org.uk/protect-your-hearing
Top five festival essentials
RNID’s survey includes the items people consider most essential to bring to music festivals this year. Topping the list was waterproof jacket (51%) with earplugs for hearing protection coming in at number five (24%).
1. Waterproof jacket (51%)
2. Sunscreen (50%)
3. Portable charger / power bank (47%)
4. Pain relief, e.g. paracetamol, ibuprofen (37%)
5. Ear plugs (24%)
Other responses on the list included: “I’m not sure” (9%), “There isn’t a most essential thing to bring to a festival” (7%), “Contraception” (5%) and “Other, please specify” (2%).
About RNID
- RNID is the national charity supporting people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus.
- Currently, one in three adults in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus.
- RNID was founded in 1911. For more than 100 years the charity has been helping people with hearing loss, pioneering new treatments and campaigning for change. RNID successfully lobbied the NHS to provide free hearing aids in 1948 and free hearing screening for every newborn baby in 2000. The charity is the only one of its kind in the UK dedicated to funding biomedical hearing research.
- If you (or someone close to you) are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus and need free confidential and impartial information and support, contact RNID. We are open 8:30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. Find out how to contact RNID at www.rnid.org.uk/contact
Methodology:
The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,000 nationally representative consumers age 18+. The data was collected between 25.06.2025 – 30.06.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.
Footnotes:
[1] The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,000 nationally representative consumers age 18+. Data collected between 25.06.2025 – 30.06.2025
[2] Combines ‘Yes, I have experienced tinnitus’, ‘Yes, I have noticed temporary hearing loss’ and ‘Yes, I have experienced both’ answer options
[3] Combines ‘High risk’ and ‘Somewhat of a risk’ answer options
[4] Combines ‘High risk’ and ‘Somewhat of a risk’ answer options
[5] Combines ‘No, I didn’t plan to, but I did wear it’ and ‘No, I didn’t plan to, and I didn’t wear any’
[1] The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,000 nationally representative consumers age 18+. Data collected between 25.06.2025 – 30.06.2025
[2] Combines ‘Yes, I have experienced tinnitus’, ‘Yes, I have noticed temporary hearing loss’ and ‘Yes, I have experienced both’ answer options
[3] Combines ‘High risk’ and ‘Somewhat of a risk’ answer options
[4] Combines ‘High risk’ and ‘Somewhat of a risk’ answer options
[5] Combines ‘No, I didn’t plan to, but I did wear it’ and ‘No, I didn’t plan to, and I didn’t wear any’