Dear Reader,

The ringing you hear could be tinnitus (see archived Alice: Noise in Ears, Tinnitus research and treatment). Tinnitus, often associated with hearing loss, causes a ringing, buzzing, or other noise heard in the ear in the absence of any outside noises that can be annoying, irritating, bothersome, and/or infuriating to the person affected. Tinnitus can also be a symptom of other hearing and ear disorders.

Listening to loud music at concerts and clubs, or at home with headphones, can lead to temporary or permanent loss of hearing, sometimes referred to as "rock-and-roll deafness."

Perhaps the music one night was particularly loud, you stayed longer than usual, you were near the amplifiers, or there's already some ear damage, and that's why the ringing in your ears lasted longer than it normally does. See your health care provider since you've noticed a change.

• Normal conversation: 65 dB
• Live concert: 120 dB
• Pain threshold for average human ear: 130 dB

If you have tinnitus, your ears would benefit from not listening to loud music and noises. However, if music and the club scene are a significant part of your life, you may find it difficult to go to clubs less often. In that case, use disposable earplugs, which come in a variety of shapes, sizes, textures, and colors. To reduce the risk of an ear infection, replace your earplugs with a new pair after a few wears. Also, position yourself away from the amplifiers.

Finally, consider the usually smoky atmosphere at clubs and concerts. Some medical literature supports the association between smoking and hearing loss.

If the ringing persists, if you think your hearing has been impaired, or if you are still worried about it, Alice encourages you to consult with your health care provider or an ear/hearing specialist.

Alice