Why do I hear ringing after concerts?

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That ringing is tinnitus, and the cause is the concert. Sound is measured by tiny hair cells inside your inner ear, and hours of loud music overwork them - they respond by misfiring, producing a ringing, buzzing, or roaring that does not come from any outside source. MedlinePlus lists exposure to loud noises as a direct cause of tinnitus. The common experience is the temporary version: ringing and a slightly muffled, cotton-wool hearing quality that fades over a day or two as the cells recover. Treat that recovery window as a warning shot, not an all-clear. The damage from loud noise is cumulative over a lifetime - each concert adds to the total, and the NHS notes tinnitus is often linked to hearing loss - so the ears that stop ringing by Tuesday can still be carrying permanent wear into your forties. The fix is cheap and uncool until it is not: high-fidelity musician's earplugs (they lower volume without muffling), standing away from speakers, and giving your ears quiet days after loud events. During a ringing spell, the NHS suggests avoiding total silence - soft background sound makes tinnitus less noticeable - and skipping caffeine and stress where you can. See a GP if ringing lasts more than a few days after a loud event, is in one ear only, beats in time with your pulse, or comes with hearing loss or dizziness - those versions get investigated. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, that can help you judge your ears.

Why do I hear ringing after concerts?

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