Turning up the volume

Freshers’ Week parties expose students to harmful noise levels

Freshers spend the equivalent of almost two whole weeks – or 13 full days - in noisy pubs and clubs during their first year of university.

Hearing loss can be caused by any sounds louder than 85 decibels (dB), and the average sound at a music venue – like a pub or club – reaches between 115–120 dB.  

A recent study has shown that as little as 15 minutes of exposure to loud music can lead to hearing damage, which is why Specsavers is reminding students in Sussex of the importance of hearing protection this Freshers’ Week.  

New research, which polled students and recent graduates, revealed they partied twice a week during term-time in first year, with each night out lasting almost five hours and ending at an average time of 2.30am.  

During Freshers’ Week alone, students estimated they spent a total of 15 hours partying on nights out, with one in ten (12%) going out five or more times. And, while socialising is an important part of a fresher’s first year at university, almost a third (30%) said they didn’t give their health much consideration.  

Reasons for this include being focused on socialising and having fun (48%), unhealthy behaviours being normalised (43%) and not understanding the long-term impacts of poor health habits (26%).  

Gordon Harrison, Specsavers Chief Audiologist, adds: ‘A fresher’s first year at university is an important year for them to make new friends, gain independence, learn life skills and build on their education, but the research shows that students aren’t prioritising their health – which can have potential implications down the line.‘Young people are being increasingly affected by hearing damage because of going to concerts, festivals and clubs where noise can reach damaging levels, as well as listening to personal music devices.  

‘We don’t want students to miss out on the fun of Freshers’ Week, but there are some simple steps they can take to protect their ears – like not standing too close to the speakers or using instant-fit earplugs or custom hearing protection.’  

The research also revealed that over seven in ten (74%) said they went out as much as possible during their first year at university, with top venues being clubs (33%), house parties (26%) and bars (17%).  Almost eight in ten (78%) said nightlife was important to their overall experience as a fresher.  

As a result of these nights out, a quarter (25%) said they experienced ringing in their ears and almost half (46%) repeatedly hear a mild buzzing, which is known to be a sign of hearing damage.  

A third had never experienced ringing before university and rarely experience it currently.