Summer means good weather, outdoor plans, live music and get-togethers on terraces. But it’s also a time when noise levels can climb higher than is good for our hearing health. As a hearing care specialist, this concerns me, because many people think “it’s just for a bit” and don’t realise the real impact on the ear, which over the long term can cause fatigue, ringing, hearing loss… Yes, even from those moments that seem harmless.
In this article I’ll explain how to protect yourself from noise on terraces, at festivals and during outdoor plans. I’ll show you which adjustments and habits make a real difference, so you can enjoy summer without putting your hearing at risk.
Why is it so important to look after your ears in summer?
During summer, the sound around us tends to intensify for several reasons:
- Lively terraces, with background music, passing traffic and people talking loudly.
- Festivals, concerts or outdoor DJ sets, with powerful sound systems that can easily exceed 90–100 dB.
- Sporting events or local festivities, where sound levels can stay above 85 dB for hours at a time.
The problem isn’t just the volume, but the duration. Spending several hours in these environments raises the risk of hearing overload, tinnitus (ringing), and, over time, can damage the cells of the inner ear. The WHO warns that prolonged exposure above 85 dB is potentially harmful, and in summer we tend to repeat these situations day after day. In clinic I see many patients coming back with ringing they didn’t have before, and it’s precisely down to this kind of repeated exposure.
Warning signs: how do you know it’s affecting you?
There are several signs that noise is already affecting your hearing, even if you don’t notice it right away:
- Ringing or buzzing after being at a bar terrace or an event.
- A “blocked” feeling or as if the volume has been turned down.
- Listening fatigue, along with mental tiredness or irritability.
- Difficulty following a conversation.
- A mild headache or feeling of pressure after prolonged exposure.
- Other people comment that you’re talking very loudly, or that you seem to keep turning the volume up.
These signs aren’t cause for alarm, but they are a reason to act quickly. Just as we use sun protection for our skin, we can use effective hearing protection here too.
Tips for enjoying terraces without the risk
a) Choose your spot strategically: Pick tables away from speakers or the main sound sources, and if there are several speakers, sit at a point where the sound balances out between them.
b) Manage your time: Alternate between indoor and outdoor spaces to give your ears a rest, and take breaks: every 60–90 minutes, find somewhere quiet, take out your earplugs and relax your ears for 10 minutes.
c) Use protection: earplugs that filter noise without cutting you off from your surroundings. There are specific models with musical noise reduction that lower the volume without distorting the sound.
Recommendations if you wear hearing aids
- Check with your hearing care specialist about activating specific modes for noise, wind or multiple environments before your summer plans.
- Always carry a case with a dehumidifier and a daily cleaning kit to prevent faults caused by heat and humidity (dry case, cloth, dehumidifier, spare filters).
Check-ups and follow-up: when to see your hearing care specialist
If after your outings this summer you notice any of these symptoms, it’s time to get your hearing checked:
- Persistent ringing
- A feeling of mild deafness
- Discomfort or pain in the ear (in this case we recommend seeing a doctor to rule out other complications)
- Build-up of listening fatigue
At BienestarAudio we carry out a complete assessment and check for any changes or loss. We can help you with earmoulds, effective protection, or adjusting your hearing aids so you can enjoy yourself without the risk.
Summer noise isn’t just a nuisance — it’s a warning sign to look after your hearing. With a few simple measures — earplugs, breaks, adjustments to your hearing aids — you can enjoy summer without putting your long-term hearing health at risk.
Take note of these tips as an essential part of your summer routine. And if you notice discomfort, fatigue or ringing, come to BienestarAudio. We’ll help you protect your hearing, adjust your hearing aids and keep your hearing healthy without giving up your plans.
Hearing centre in Valencia | BienestarAudio | Calle Juan Llorens 7, 46008 Valencia
To book your appointment you can call us on 960 659 592 or message us on WhatsApp at 621 00 16 93
Protect your ears and enjoy the summer
