AUSTIN, Texas —
As Austin City Limits (ACL) gets ready to kick off this weekend, a Central Texas hearing specialist has a warning to help keep people safe this festival season.
Debra Mueller, a hearing care specialist for the HearUSA in San Marcos, says there are some steps you can take to help prevent noise-induced hearing loss.
Any sound over 91 decibels is considered loud, which is just a bit louder than a lawn mower. Long exposure to those loud noises can cause the most damage.
If you're going to be around loud music for an extended time, it's important to take precautions.
"It's helpful and I promise you it will help you long term because we don't think about the effects that it's having on us until it's too late and we've already lost our hearing," Mueller said.
She said it's helpful to try and distance yourself from the actual source of the sound, which comes from the speakers and subwoofers.
Mueller also recommends taking a break from being close to loud music and wearing hearing protection like earplugs.
"One time can damage your hearing. All it takes is one festival," Mueller said. "So if you are going to continue to go to festivals, make sure you wear hearing protection to keep those ears protected as much as you can."
She says after you've been around loud music and noises for an extended time, you may hear ringing in your ear and notice that everything sounds muffled. That could go away or lead to permanent damage.
It's not just music festivals and concerts that can cause hearing loss. Mueller says your car stereo, power tools or even a loud squeaky toy next to your ear can get above 91 decibels, too.
It's important to protect your ears from long exposure to those sounds, as well.