I Never Realized Live Music Could Cause Permanent Hearing Damage —Until My Best Friend Became Partially Deaf At 25
By Mike Dallas
Last updated: Aug 24, 2025
Last updated: Aug 24, 2025
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3 min read
Jake was my college roommate and concert buddy.
We'd been to dozens of shows together over the years.
And we both got used to the ringing in our ears after them, figured it was just part of the experience.
It always went away by the next day anyway.
But then he started noticing he was having trouble hearing people clearly in normal situations.
Sometimes he’d nod along like he understood, only to admit later he hadn’t caught a word.
It was subtle, but the signs were already there.
Then one night after a show, Jake's ringing never stopped.
The next week, he went to get his hearing checked.
40% hearing loss plus permanent tinnitus, that constant beeping sound in his ears that would never go away.
The doctor said this was common for people constantly exposed to loud environments.
And what's worse: the damage was irreversible.
He is never getting those 40% back.
But what scared me most was seeing how this affected Jake's daily life.
Jake can't enjoy music the way he used to, everything sounds muffled and distorted.
It used to be his escape, now it just reminds him of what he's lost.
But the tinnitus is the worst part.
Living with a constant beep in your ears, every hour, every day, forever...
It makes it hard to concentrate, sleep, or find any real quiet.
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"I had no idea it was that serious," Jake told me recently. "Like, everyone gets ringing after concerts, right? I didn't know it meant I was actually damaging my hearing."
Watching Jake go through this changed everything for me.
That's when I found out what I wish someone had told us years earlier...
The sound levels at concerts, clubs, and festivals constantly hit 98-120 decibels, loud enough to cause permanent damage in minutes.
Studies show nearly 3 out of 4 people suffer hearing damage after just one night out at typical music venues.
I never thought hearing loss was something I had to worry about in my 20s. But this doesn't just happen to old people, it was happening to us.
All those times we thought our ears were "fine" after shows, invisible damage was actually accumulating.
Every show adds up, building toward permanent loss that can't be fixed, reversed, or healed.
I couldn't ignore this anymore.
I had to do something before it was too late for me too.
After seeing what happened to Jake, I made a decision: I would never leave my hearing unprotected again. It wasn't worth the risk.
But I wasn't going to stop going to shows.
I knew foam earplugs weren't an option.
They're uncomfortable, make everything sound terrible, and honestly, they're embarrassing to wear.
So I started looking for better alternatives.
I tried several earplugs from different brands, but they all had the same problems:
I had to do something before it was too late for me too.
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Kept slipping out or made my ears sore
Still made music sound muffled
Didn’t protect enough near speakers
Too expensive for what they were
I was about to give up. But there had to be something better out there.
That's when someone recommended Hears earplugs to me, and I decided to give them a shot.
I saw they had great reviews from other people using them for concerts, festivals, and clubs.
And they truly lived up to my expectations.
First concert with Hears, I couldn't believe the difference.
They're uncomfortable, make everything sound terrible, and honestly, they're embarrassing to wear.
So I started looking for better alternatives.
I tried several earplugs from different brands, but they all had the same problems:
I had to do something before it was too late for me too.
Zero Sound Distortion:
Music stays clear, conversations stay sharp, just without the damage
Super Comfortable:
I can wear them for hours without even noticing they're there.
Awesome Design.
Stylish, small, discreet. They look more like an accessory than protection gear.
At $39, they cost less than most concert tickets but protect something priceless.
Plus, the 100-day money-back guarantee meant I could try them risk-free.
And I'm really happy I did.
Now I can enjoy shows without that constant worry in the back of my mind.
Jake keeps telling me how lucky I am that I figured this out before it was too late.
That’s why I’m sharing this. I don’t want anyone else to learn the hard way like Jake did because I know how tough that can be.
Just a heads up: they sell out quickly, so check below to see if they’re still in stock.
I wasn’t the only one. Hears has earned a 4.9/5 rating from over 3,454 reviews.
Over and over, people talk about how comfortable they are and how clear everything still sounds.
Here's what they're saying:
"These were perfect for an all-day festival I attended in Vegas. They stayed in place all day, and I was comfortable while looking really cute!"
Sarah P.
Verified Buyer
I used these at the BOS Metallica concert. It was my first time using any ear protection and my hearing was perfect after the concert.
Sarah P.
Verified Buyer
I used these at the BOS Metallica concert. It was my first time using any ear protection and my hearing was perfect after the concert.
Sarah P.
Verified Buyer
Order now and join over 200,000 people already using Hears to protect their ability to enjoy music before they sell out again.
You can prevent irreversible damage today with something so simple it costs less than a night out.
Don't spend the rest of your life wishing you'd acted sooner.
20dB noise reduction with zero sound distortion
Four ear tip sizes for perfect fit
Keychain carry case
Discreet, modern design
100-day money-back guarantee