Research by Specsavers reveals top festival moments

QUEEN’S 20-MINUTE PERFORMANCE AT LIVE AID IN 1985, ELTON JOHN’S LAST UK GIG HEADLINING AT GLASTONBURY AND JIMI HENDRIX BURNING HIS GUITAR AT MONTEREY IN 1967: JUST SOME OF THE MOST MEMORABLE FESTIVAL MOMENTS OF ALL TIME, ACCORDING TO A NEW POLL

People in Northern Ireland have voted for their 30 most iconic festival moments ever, with Queen’s performance at Live Aid in 1985 claiming the number one spot. Elton John’s last UK gig headlining Sunday night at Glastonbury this year (24 percent), Adele’s show-stopping Glastonbury performance in 2016 (10 percent), Bob Marley performing two days after being shot at Smile Jamaica in 1976 (7 percent) and Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain taking to the stage in a wheelchair and hospital gown at Reading in 1992 (5 percent) all made an appearance.

Activist Greta Thunberg’s speech at Glastonbury in 2022, Beyonce being the first woman to headline Glastonbury in 2011, Jimi Hendrix burning his guitar at Monterey Pop Festival in 1967and Kylie Minogue’s Sunday Legends set at Glastonbury 2019 also made the list.

The majority of Northern Ireland (79 percent) think that festivals are the greatest way to see live music, with just under half (47 percent) saying that it is one of the main things they like doing in the summer. Under 30s are planning to go to the most festivals this summer – at least three – with some admitting to doling out over £600 on the experience.

However, according to the poll commissioned by Specsavers, the majority (82 percent) admit they often leave such events with their ears ringing, which could be damaging their hearing. 

It’s not surprising then that over a third of those surveyed (38 percent) are convinced that their hearing has been damaged because of the loud noise. 

Simon Baker was a successful DJ/producer and had releases on labels such as Kompa Kt, Cocoon and Last Night On Earth. He developed tinnitus due to over-exposure to loud noise, he says: “I had what you could call a dream career. Working in the music industry as a touring DJ, music producer and sound engineer, I had been surrounded by loud music for years and never thought much of it.

“I wasn’t particularly taking that much care of my health in my early days, and I wasn’t too aware of the impact my lifestyle could have been having on my health, and then I developed tinnitus which led to a lot of stress.

“My tinnitus started low level but increased over time, it really made me worry about the impact it could have on my life and career. Now, I want to encourage everyone to be aware of how to prevent tinnitus. The most important things are to wear ear protection in loud places and get your ears tested regularly.”   

A whopping 88 percent of those questioned didn’t know that it can take just five minutes for hearing damage to occur at a festival, with a further 41 percent admitting they have never had a hearing test.

But as festival season gets underway, everyone loves attending festivals for the atmosphere (74 percent), making memories (55 percent), meeting new people (24 percent) and dancing (22 percent), while 12 percent love the sheer noise. An astonishing 21 percent say there is nothing better than the feeling of the bass running through their bones, so much so that 31 percent say they always stand right up at the front at a gig or festival. 

Research also revealed that only 22 percent say they have worn or wear ear plugs or ear defenders at a festival or a concert.

In fact, protecting hearing was at the bottom of a list of festival essentials for those surveyed, with only 14 percent saying they would bring ear plugs and even fewer (6 percent) saying they would prioritise taking ear defenders.  

The top essentials on the festival packing list included, water bottles (77 percent), sunscreen (68 percent), sunglasses (63 percent), toothbrush (50 percent) and wet wipes (41 percent). A half (50 percent) always pack a hat, while 41 percent never forget painkillers. 

Pillows (41 percent), first aid kit (32 percent) and ear plugs (14 percent) also appear on the list, along with glitter (14 percent) – which is more of a priority than ear defenders (6 percent).

Gordon Harrison, chief audiologist at Specsavers, advises: “Hearing loss affects people of all ages and unfortunately the longer we leave hearing issues, the worse they can become. Therefore, it is vitally important to look after your hearing, especially when at festivals, gigs, concerts or anywhere just in general where’s there’s with loud music or noise.

“Wearing hearing protection, such as ear defenders can really help, and having regular hearing checks can help identify and manage of hearing loss symptoms and minimise any long-term impact.”   

Specsavers stocks a range of hearing protection, including its own Advance range.

If you’re worried about your hearing, or have experienced any changes in your hearing, visit your local Specsavers store to book a free hearing test.

For more information visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/hearing