Halloween is filled with exciting ways to celebrate, from exploring The Missoula Haunted House to attending a workplace costume party or walking around the neighborhood with your children. The real fright this Halloween should come from spooky decorations and unexpected scares, not hearing damage or ringing in your ears. Fortunately, a few simple precautions can help you enjoy your favorite seasonal activities while protecting your hearing.
Bring Earplugs To Noisy Events
Earplugs are a convenient way to reduce the amount of sound reaching your ears. They can be especially useful at crowded parties, concerts and haunted attractions where loud noises are part of the experience.
Keep a pair in your pocket or bag before heading out for Halloween. Reusable silicone earplugs or musician’s earplugs can help lower sound levels while allowing you to hear conversations and enjoy the atmosphere. Choose a pair that fits comfortably and provides suitable noise reduction.
Keep Party Music at a Comfortable Volume
Loud music can quickly raise the noise level at a Halloween gathering. When people struggle to hear each other over the music, they often start speaking louder, making the environment even noisier.
If you are throwing a Halloween party, keep the music at a reasonable volume. Aim for levels below 85 decibels (dB), the threshold for hearing damage, whenever possible, and consider creating separate areas for different activities. A room with louder music can be reserved for dancing, while a quieter space gives guests a chance to chat without shouting.
Enjoy Haunted Houses in Moderation
Haunted houses are popular Halloween attractions for a reason. Sudden screams, booming sound effects and other startling noises make the experience exciting, but repeated exposure to loud sounds can contribute to noise-induced hearing loss.
If haunted houses are part of your annual Halloween tradition, take steps to limit your exposure. Wear earplugs and limit your return trips as much as possible.
Halloween shouldn’t end in hearing loss. Follow the above tips and schedule a hearing test with Western Montana Hearing and Speech if you notice signs of damage, like muffled speech or tinnitus, following your festivities.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic. (2026, June 8). Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL): Symptoms & treatment. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21776-noise-induced-hearing-loss-nihl