Katy Perry shot to fame with her hit single “I kissed a girl” and since then has become a worldwide musical phenomenon selling singles and albums that have been awarded a multi-platinum status.

Music concerts are great fun to attend with friends and family; there is a great atmosphere, brilliant music and an amazing night out. However, it can be damaging to your hearing.

Amplified rock concerts can reach approximately 110-130 db, which can damage your hearing after 3.75-30 minutes of exposure per day.

With a pair of musician ear plugs you will be able to block harmful noises, whilst letting the sounds you want to hear in. Musician ear plugs are the ideal solution for music lovers, you can drown the sound of chattering fans behind you and the screams of fanatics whilst enjoying the sound of the music and hearing conversations between your friends.

However, the reviews haven’t been so kind, with most advising to bring some ear plugs along when you see it. I can imagine that you may need some music ear plugs as Christina has such a powerful voice and there are sure to be some very high notes. I’m still quite tempted to watch it, with ear plugs just in case.

This is what the review said:

“Burlesque was up-beat and fun but it also felt like they crammed every feather boa, beaded dress and high-pitched note that they could into it. The bright colours were present to an annoying intensity that it was almost nauseating. I really feel like they tried with this movie and it was a really good idea they just needed to tone it down a tad.

Christina Aguilera has a beautiful voice, however a couple of her numbers were extremely high-pitched and in a large theatre with a good sound system it tends to be a bit overwhelming and annoying (as in painful to the ear…possibly damaging!) The combination of Cher and Christina Aguilera is a match that I was hoping would be great but instead it was a little dissatisfying. They just didn’t seem to work that well together. I do not believe that this film is for everyone, I think that some people will really enjoy this film but most will find it obnoxious.”

I love nativity plays, watching the children get up onto the stage and playing their part. In my eyes my children are perfect, great little singers, performers and entertaining to watch. This maybe a bit bias, but the other children just don’t seem to be as good. This is all light hearted, but maybe I should have bought some ear plugs along when the other children were singing. That is mean, isn’t it?

I will take that back, all children are special and they did sing their hearts out. In the spirit of Christmas it was a fantastic play and all the children did well. It was very enjoyable.

Uncle Derek is going to a lot of concerts recently, watching bands like Kings of Leon (I think he might be going through a mid life crisis).

• Present Idea: Musician Ear plugs, band t-shirt, whistle and a CD.

Aunty Margaret has been saying she wants to go on a diet after Christmas along with some gentle exercise.

• Present Idea: Home workout DVD, swimming ear plugs, water blocker for the nose and a work out vest.

Cousin Tim loves his motorcycle and watching extreme sports.

• Present idea – Extreme sports DVD, motorcycle ear plugs, Biography of Erik Weihenmayer

Cousin Frank has recently moved to the country to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, but has got a bit of a pest problem.

• Present idea – Country cooking book, shooting ear plugs, vegetable seeds, gardening tools.

Cousin Gemma is a lover of old fashion films and vintage (a bit of a fashionista).

• Present Idea – The Red Shoes DVD, Vintage jewellery, JenGen ear plugs – just like the ones Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Over the weekend I started my Christmas shopping, the Christmas lights have already been switched on, the big Christmas tree in the town square has been put up and everyone is in a really good mood. Christmas is definitely on the way.

However, it was a different story however, when I walked into the stores. People were wearing faces filled with stress and dare I say it remorse. I must admit myself, at the end of my shopping trip I was glad to be home.

The shops were filled with couples searching for gifts, whilst letting their little ones run riot around the stores. They were bumping into people and into the displays, crying when they fell over. The mass of people in each store, I think was more the problem than the children running around. Shopping became stressful. If only there was a way of blocking it all out.

Then it dawn on me, as soon as I started writing this piece. Ear plugs. Why didn’t I think of that? It would have blocked the sound of crying and screaming children, couples arguing over how much they want to spend on their relatives and the bad Christmas music that shops are adamant in playing.

It would have been peaceful. Well at least I know for next time.

When in the studio and preparing the stage with sounds systems, technicians and audio engineers are required to wear protective ear plugs to help minimise the potential dangers of loud noises. Most commonly worn musicians, technicians and audio engineers are the custom ear plugs as they generate different levels of protection, normally have a NRR (noise reduction rating) of 20Db and mould to the shape of the wearer’s ear to generate the flattest attenuation and the truest isolation to harmful noise levels.

It is also equally important for followers of the act to wear ear plugs too as the noise not only coming from the music being played, but also the sound of screaming fans can have a serious effect on your hearing. One effect is the ringing sound in your ears, which can lead to tinnitus. The ringing noise is a sign from your ears saying the sound levels are too high and damage could have been caused. If you have this sign it is best to go to an audiologist for a check up.

Jedward shot to fame through the UK series of X Factor and mentored by Louis Walsh. X Factor is known as a talent competition where we have seen the likes of Leona Lewis, however the talent that came through last year and what we are seeing this year seems to be less than talented and here they are making money from … nothing.

The dynamic twosome will be ‘singing’   through Edinburgh and Glasgow to Southampton, London and Birmingham on their UK tour throughout the month from the 7^th to 30^th.

However, if you are a fan of the twins, getting a pair of ear plugs for music lovers is still a good idea. An amplified rock concert can reach up to 120dB, which after a small amount of time can become dangerous for your hearing, causing tinnitus and permanent hearing loss.

Chris told the Independent; “It started with the sensation of a ‘fullness’ in my ears, a bit like the experience you might have after swimming,” he says. “Then, within weeks, the most commonplace noises were becoming excruciating.”

“I suffered from it for the best part of a year and it affected every aspect of my life. I had moved to London to be with my girlfriend, Emma, and it put a real strain on our relationship. I was angry and irritable all the time and she would have to tip-toe around me. During arguments, we would have to whisper rather than shout.”

To make sure he could hear without having constant pains in his ears, Chris wore attenuating earplugs to lower the level of sound emitted whilst still being able to hear conversations.

In the studio, when he was mixing his first album at Abbey Road, Chris found himself in an embarrassing situation, having to tell the engineer to turn the volume down. “He looked at me like I had lost my mind”.

After a while and countless appointments with the doctor, Chris Singleton was diagnosed with the rare medical condition of hyperacusis, in which he had to refrain from wearing the earplugs and attend regular appointments at a hearing therapist.

“It’s made me appreciate my hearing, that’s for sure. I’m careful not to wear headphones that much and when I’m playing or at a gig I wear special musician’s earplugs.”

The solution to the problem is to wear ear plugs, but if you are concerned about the aesthetics of wearing them there are ear plugs that are very small and discreet. By wearing ear plugs, it will help you with your hearing in years to come and what’s more will allow you to enjoy your music for longer without any ringing sensation.

There are many disadvantages of going clubbing; sore throats from trying to communicate over the music, suffering from ringing ears and if the volume is too loud can change the enjoyment of the music. With musician ear plugs not only will you be able to hear conversations and prevent ringing ears you will also be able to enjoy the music as it will intensify and clarify it.

Another ear plug form that could be advantageous is noise reduction ear plugs as they reduce the background noise to a safer level and giving you the benefit of hearing conversations over the music. There are many forms of ear plugs out there for you to choose from and are all suitable for wearing when out hitting the nightclubs; re-usable, mouldable, custom fit and pre-moulded.

Levels of sound should never be over 90 decibels as this can have an effect on your hearing if exposed for too long on a regular basis, so it is advisable to wear protective ear plugs.

This has been the message that H.E.A.R (Hearing Education Association for Rockers) has been sending for over 20 years. The association set up in San Francisco, America is known worldwide for creating awareness of hearing loss to professional musicians and general rockers. Set up by bass player, Kathy Peck of The Contradictions and physician Flash Gordon M.D in 1988, the idea came after Kathy went to an extremely loud gig.

Kathy previously suffered from hearing problems as in 1984, which brought a stop to her career, but pushed her into getting H.E.A.R set up and running. The organisation has come through leaps and bounds and through the support of various respected names such as MTV, Lars Ulrich of Metallica and Pete Townshend of The Who, along with many others it has become a globally recognised name in itself.

For rockers the best protection to have can be sourced from Musician earplugs or Noise reduction earplugs. I have found that these are ideal for taking with you to loud gigs, but earplugs are also great for taking with you to festivals and other musical events.

With constant exposure to extreme sounds your hearing can quickly degenerate, so it is increasingly important to get your ears checked by a doctor once a year and to have the right protection.