Don't Lose The Music is brought to you by RNID

Got your loo roll packed?

Loo roll, wet wipes, wellies, sun cream, condoms…earplugs?

Most festival goers know to bring the essentials to Glastonbury, but RNID - the largest charity representing the needs of the 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK - is advising people to invest in a pair of re-usable earplugs before heading off to the summer festivals. 

Hippies sitting in the sun at Glastonbury festival

Lisa McDonald, Campaigns Officer at RNID, says: "People might think that earplugs are the last thing they want to take to a music festival, but when you actually stop and think about it, it really does make sense!  The music around the sound stages can reach in excess of 110dB – equivalent to the noise made by aircraft taking off!

"By investing in a quality pair of re-usable earplugs before you go, your ears will be protected throughout, and you’ll probably hear the music a lot clearer as earplugs filter out a lot of the distortion caused by big speaker systems."

For those people who forget to buy a re-usable pair, all is not lost - disposable earplugs will be available for free from RNID's Don’t Lose the Music stand near the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury.

Music fans can also follow a few simple steps to protect themselves against potential hearing damage.  RNID advises festival goers to:

  • Stand away from loud speakers - if you plan to watch your favourite band from right in front of the PA wear some earplugs, and make a point of watching the next band from somewhere else.
  • Take regular breaks from the music to give your ears a rest

In addition to earplugs, festival goers visiting the RNID stand will be able to pick up a new skill as the Don't Lose the Music team teach people some useful British Sign Language phrases, such as: "do you want a drink?" and "see you back at the tent".

Don't Lose the Music will have stands at Glastonbury (24 - 26 June 05), T In The Park Festival (9-10 July 05) and Carling Weekend Leeds and Reading sites (26 – 28 August 05).