As the UK prepares for an evening of dazzling fireworks to mark Guy Fawkes Night, an eminent ear specialist has issued a cautionary note: the thunderous bursts might lead to tinnitus, a hearing condition that cannot be cured.

Tinnitus, a condition affecting over seven million people in the UK, causes sufferers to hear ongoing sounds such as ringing, buzzing, or hissing in their ears.

While mild instances of tinnitus can sometimes resolve on their own, those who experience more severe symptoms may find them unrelenting, with no known cure available.

Dr. Anil Joshi, an ear, nose, and throat surgeon based in London, shared with the Daily Mail that he has treated patients whose tinnitus was triggered by fireworks.

Dr. Joshi noted, “Fortunately, most individuals seeking assistance find that their symptoms subside within days or weeks, but a small number develop persistent symptoms.”

“It is often young individuals who have been too near to fireworks when they explode. They report symptoms such as hearing loss and pain,” he added.

‘Many of the explosions are far too loud for our ears to cope with’. 

A leading ear expert has warned that watching and lighting up fireworks could trigger the ear ringing disorder tinnitus

Hannah Samuels, an audiologist at Boots Hearing Care explained that exposure is the issue. 

‘[Some people] watch firework displays that can last ‘up to twenty, even thirty minutes,’ she said.

‘This is comparable to standing on a noisy construction site for the same duration without wearing hearing protection, which is mandatory for workers to wear.

‘Exposure to sounds above 120 decibels can lead to pain, tinnitus or even temporary hearing loss in a matter of seconds.

‘Fireworks can easily reach and surpass these levels.’ 

While consumer fireworks are capped at around 120 decibels, some professional displays can soar to 150 decibels and beyond. 

These ‘intense sound waves’, Dr Joshi explained, are ‘powerful enough to damage the delicate hair cells in the cochlea’, an organ in the inner ear.

‘When working correctly these cells turn [sound] vibrations into electrical signals for the brain, but once damaged, they do not regenerate,’ he said.

The ringing or buzzing people suffering from tinnitus experience he explained is ‘essentially abnormal nerve firing that the brain can’t interpret’. 

The loud sound from fireworks, Dr Joshi explained, is powerful enough to damage the ear

This ‘trauma in the inner cells’ is the ‘most common cause of tinnitus’, but it can also be caused by the noise rupturing the ear drum itself, he added.

It is possible to enjoy a fireworks display without putting your hearing at risk, but it involves some careful forward planning. 

‘It is essential to protect your hearing when watching fireworks, especially for young children with sensitive eardrums,’ said Ms Samuels.

While you can purchase foam earplugs, which are more affordable, she’d recommend ‘reusable earplugs with filters’.

‘Filtered hearing protection reduces decibels and their impact on your hearing while still allowing you to feel the atmosphere around you,’ she said.

‘They are great to wear if you frequent gigs, bars and other noisy environments.’ 

However, if you have young children, you’ll understand earplugs ‘can be difficult’ as they can ‘take them out’.

Instead, he recommended ‘earmuffs’ which although only ‘offer some protection’ can be easier to get teens to wear. 

‘We want people to have fun, but they should be educated about real risks. Keep your distance and consider ear protection,’ said Dr Joshi.

It comes amid emerging evidence that rates of tinnitus are on the rise in the UK.

A third of audiology professionals said they’ve seen a rise in tinnitus cases in the past year in a recent survey by the charity Tinnitus UK.

According to the NHS tinnitus can sound like ringing, buzzing, whooshing, humming, hissing, throbbing or even music or singing.

It adds that the sounds—which can be heard in one or both ears, as well as the head—may come and go, or be heard all of the time.

While it isn’t always clear what causes tinnitus, several potential reasons (as well as exposure to loud noises) include hearing loss, diabetes, thyroid disorders, anxiety and depression.

It can also be a side effect of some medications.