If you are a longtime listener to the podcast you’ve heard me talk about protecting your hearing, and you’ve heard me tell the story of Big Wreck and how they inspired my constant use of ear plugs at concerts. I may have mention then I recently forgot my earplugs when I went to see White Reaper and had to walk out because my hearing is just not worth it… well, I want to drop some science on you, and at the end there isa link for 15% of Loop Earplugs, the ones I swear by right now.
The it comes to noise, decibels aren’t linear—they’re logarithmic. That means going from 85 dB (typical noisy restaurant) to 100 dB is a 3,100% increase in sound pressure. You wouldn’t accept a 3,000% increase in UV exposure without sunscreen—so why gamble with your ears?
We have changed things in the past that were detrimental to our health… We ditched secondhand smoke in bars. We normalized seatbelts and shunned drunk driving. So why are we still treating hearing loss like a rock-and-roll badge of honor? It’s not.
The truth is, your love of live music doesn’t have to cost you your hearing. I wear earplugs. Every. Damn. Time… and you should too.
Leaving a show with your ears ringing? That’s not “part of the experience.” It’s your cochlea screaming for help. And once those hair cells are gone, they’re gone for good. No reset button. No magical cure.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to choose between protecting your ears and enjoying killer sound. Enter Loop Earplugs… They’re not your cheap, squishy foam plugs from the hardware store. They reduce volume while preserving sound fidelity—so you can still hear the music, just not at body-slam levels. My favorite version, the Switch, has 3 multiple settings depending on how much you need to filter out.
I use them. They work. They’re comfortable, subtle, and they don’t mess with the vibe.