There is no question that music and sound are essential elements of how we experience events. But while excessively loud environments may enhance enjoyment for some, for many, they diminish it.
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January 2026Konstantina Stankovic, MD, PhD, chair of otolaryngology at Stanford University, discussed the risks of loud noise exposure on hearing and brain health in a recent Huberman Lab episode, “Protect and Improve Your Hearing and Brain Health.” She recommends wearing earplugs, which can reduce exposure to safer levels (often around 80 dB), and considering magnesium, which shows promise in mitigating noise-induced cochlear injury, though optimal dosing remains unclear.
It is time to rethink the idea that louder is better. Events should be engaging, not harmful. People should leave concerts, movies, and gatherings energized—not with ringing ears, strained voices, or the first step toward irreversible hearing loss.
Sometimes the simplest question is also the most important: Why so loud, and what will it take for us to turn the volume down?