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Practise safe decks ... Wear earplugs, says RNID - 05 March 2008

If you use condoms, slather on suncream or wear a bike helmet when you cycle, why not wear earplugs and protect your ears from the risk of permanent damage?

RNID has asked students from British universities to design earplugs for young people who love music, following the charity's own research finding that 90 per cent of young people have experienced the first signs of hearing damage after a night out.

Exposure to loud music is guaranteed to damage hearing over time (2). But research by the UK's deafness and hard of hearing charity RNID shows that young people are reluctant to wear earplugs because they look too 'medical,' are aesthetically unappealing, socially unacceptable and only available on specialist websites (3).

RNID has joined forces with leading design consultancies to award internships to industrial design students who produce the most exciting designs (4).

Emma Harrison, RNID's Head of Campaigns, said: "We think young people should be able to make informed choices about the exposure to loud noise. If you use condoms, slather on suncream or wear a bike helmet when you cycle, why not wear earplugs and protect your ears from the risk of permanent damage?"

Most young people think they don't need to wear earplugs, but good quality earplugs don't block your hearing. They attenuate the sound – meaning that the decibel level reaching your ear is reduced, while you can still hear the music you are listening to.

1. For more information or to buy earplugs online, see the Don't Lose The Music (external link, opens new browser window) website.
2. According to the World Health Organisation, exposure to excessive noise is the major avoidable cause of permanent hearing loss worldwide [1997]. Experts agree that exposure to sound levels over 85 decibels will damage hearing over time. Music played at clubs, gigs and bars can be well over this level.
3. From qualitative research undertaken by RNID in June 2006.
4. Designs will be judged by a panel of leading UK design consultancies including IDEO, Tangerine, Alloy, and Pearson Matthews, led by Dr. Mark Downs, RNID's Executive Director of Technology. Students are from three universities – De Montfort, Coventry and Sheffield Hallam.
5. Music lovers, musicians and DJs can take simple steps to protect themselves from damaging decibels on a night out or while performing:
Taking a five minute rest period for every hour of listening to allow ears to recover
Standing away from loud speakers in pubs, clubs, gigs and concerts
Taking regular breaks from the dance floor and using chill out areas to give ears a rest from loud music
Wearing earplugs designed for use in clubs and gigs, which reduce the volume not the quality of the sound. Reusable earplugs are available to buy for £10 - £15 from a range of high street stockists.
6. Don't Lose the Music is supported by top musicians and celebrities including Moby, Embrace, Katie Melua, The Proclaimers, Sir George Martin, Lemar, Lou Rhodes, The Darkness, Roger Daltrey, Pete Waterman and Emma B (Radio 1).
7. RNID is the largest charity working to change the world for the UK's 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people. We do this with the help of our members by campaigning and lobbying, raising awareness of deafness and hearing loss, providing services and through social, medical and technical research. For further information about RNID or to become a member, visit www.rnid.org.uk, contact RNID's Information Line on 0808 808 0123 (freephone) or 0808 808 9000 (textphone) or email informationline@rnid.org.uk

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