I’ve been clubbing and stage-dancing for years but never really gave my hearing a second thought. Protecting your hearing simply wasn’t promoted or given any exposure at any of the club nights I attended, and although it’s a hugely obvious issue, it never occurred to me to consider the harm I could be doing to my ears.

Last year I had to be put under a general anaesthetic to remove a foreign body that was pressed against my right eardrum. Since then I have experienced occasional slight pain in my right ear, especially after a banging weekends raving. This brought my concern to the forefront, as music is my world and I cannot imagine my hearing being damaged for good and being unable to hear the music I love so much.

It wasn't until I attended the last Night Shift where they had teamed up with the Royal National Institute for the Deaf with the Don’t Lose The Music campaign, that I really became aware of the precautions I could take to minimise damage, and to start the ball rolling they were providing ravers with free re-usable foam earplugs.

I have to admit I always forgot to take the earplugs out with me until very recently when I was invited to help celebrate a friend’s landmark birthday. I knew I’d be out clubbing all night, then probably onto an after-party; and due to the individual being the person they are, the music was more than likely going to be hard and dirty and brilliant! Not a great recipe for the ears!

I didn’t want to have to leave the festivities early due to being in pain, so I made a point of packing my bright pink “Don’t Lose The Music” earplugs. 16 hours worth of clubbing was a great opportunity to test out my foam freebies.

I’d never used earplugs at a music event before and was sceptical. Foolishly I’d always believed earplugs to look silly, and affect the quality of sound experienced. Having attempted to use earplugs in bed at night to help with my insomnia, I had always found them uncomfortable and annoying.

I was proved delightfully wrong. Wearing the earplugs I felt cocooned and comfortable, and even forgot I was wearing them half the time. They did not muffle the music, just cushioned my ears, and astonishingly it was EASIER to hear my friends talking to me over the music. I felt much better than usual when we left the after-party the next day – the absence of headaches and “ringing” in the ears was a pleasant first!

I had a much better raving experience in general and actually enjoyed the music and the night more than if I hadn’t protected my ears. I’m amazed at the difference the earplugs made and will always wear them in the future.

Night Shift have definitely “shifted” my awareness and continually demonstrate that they care about the people who attend their events – promoting awareness of aural safety as well as the charity Royal National Institute for the Deaf.

I hope I am not the only one who has been alerted of the difference protecting your ears can make on a night out, but even if only one raver has been persuaded to make a change that could make a difference in later life, then Night Shift have achieved their goal of making sure us ravers enjoy the music for longer.

You can find more information on the Don’t Lose The Music campaign at dontlosethemusic.com

Night Shift will be teaming up with the RNID and Dont Lose the Music campaign at the next party on March 29th – event link