Don’t Lose The Music!

26 Jun 2004

Got Your ‘Protection’ Sorted? Think Again...

Don’t forget to pick up some earplugs before heading off into the fields to see your favourite act - that’s the advice from RNID, the largest charity representing the nine million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK.

As part of its ongoing Don’t Lose the Music campaign - which aims to increase awareness amongst music fans about the dangers of over exposure to loud music - RNID has prepared an essential checklist for all wannabe festival goers.

When you’re out and about at the festivals this year, you need to remember to take: a tent, a sleeping bag, a torch, a blanket to keep you warm at night, a t-shirt in case its hot and a jumper in case its not, a pair of wellies in case its muddy and some sun glasses to keep you looking cool regardless. You’ll also need some cash to buy beer and food, your toothbrush and, most importantly, a pair of re-usable earplugs to protect your hearing for the duration of the festival.

Lisa McDonald, Campaigns Officer, RNID says: ‘People might think that earplugs are the last thing they’ll want to use at a music festival, but when you actually stop and think about it, it really does make sense! The reality is that the music around the sound stages can reach in excess of 110dB -equivalent to the noise made by aircraft taking off! If you consider that the musicians on-stage are probably wearing in-ear monitors - which allow them to control how much noise reaches their ears - and the roadies and security staff are definitely wearing earplugs, then you have to ask yourself why you’re not?

’By investing in a quality pair of reusable earplugs, your ears will be protected throughout, and you’ll probably hear the music a lot clearer as earplugs filter out a lot of the distortion caused by big speaker systems.’

Glynn Pegler, a journalist from Wales who covers a lot of live music events, knows all about the dangers of over-exposure to loud music, having experienced the frustration of tinnitus himself. He comments: ‘I work in the media and part of my job means covering loud music events. Over the past few years, I’ve noticed my hearing has suffered from a gradual decline in sensitivity. -After one particular music event my ears were still ringing some days afterwards, and I found myself waking up for the next few days and feeling as though both my ears were filled with water!’

’You only ever feel the impact of something like hearing loss after it’s happened - it’s only then that you appreciate how much you take your hearing for granted, but by then, of course, it’s usually too late!’

For those people who forget to buy a reusable pair of earplugs, then all is not lost - disposable earplugs are available for free from the RNID’s Don’t Lose the Music stand near the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. Music fans can also follow a few simple steps to protect themselves against potential hearing damage. RNID advises festival goers to:

Stand away from loud speakers - If you plan to watch your favourite band from right in front of the PA wear some earplugs, and make a point of watching the next band from somewhere else.

Take regular breaks from the music to give your ears a rest.

In addition to earplugs, festival goers visiting the RNID stand will be able to pick up a new skill as the Don’t Lose the Music team teach people some useful British Sign Language phrases, such as: ‘do you want a drink?’ and ‘see you back at the tent’.

Don’t Lose the Music is supported by a number of musicians and celebrities, including Moby, Pink Floyd, Phil Collins, The Darkness, David Gray and The Cooper Temple Clause and you can find RNID stalls with free earplugs at Glastonbury (25 - 27 June), V Festivals (21 - 22 August) and the Carling Weekend Leeds site (27 - 29 August).

Reusable earplugs are available to buy for around £10 - £15 from a number of stockists. Musicians’ earplugs are also available from specialist suppliers for around £150. See the Don’t Lose the Music website for more information www.DonLoseTheMusic.com

Don’t forget to visit the RNID stand to pick up your free pair of earplugs when you’re at the festivals!

Article supplied by: Culture Magazine

...................

Festival News

Other Top Articles

News Stories

General Links

PlayLouder

   
     
Multimedia Filming at the Festival Webcasts Radio TV      The Film
Red Zone Arrival Information Camping Camper Vans Orange Information Medical Crime and Security Places of Worship
Blue Zone Acoustic Stage JazzWorld Stage Kidz Field Leftfield
Purple Zone Pyramid Stage Other Stage New Tent Dance Tent Cinema
Theatre Zone Cabaret Circus Big Top
Green Zone Craft Field Fields of Avalon Green Futures Green Kids Greenpeace Field Healing Field Kings Meadow Lost Vagueness Poetry and Speakers The Glade The Green Roadshow Tipi Field