Tinnitus UK at Download Festival: Bringing Hearing Health to the Heart of Live Music

As one of the UK’s largest and most iconic festivals, Download brings together 100,000+ music fans, artists and industry professionals every year. For Tinnitus UK, it was an opportunity to continue the conversations started during Tinnitus Week 2026 and discuss hearing health directly at one of the biggest live music environments in the world.

The partnership also marked our first on-site collaboration with Live Nation, creating an opportunity to engage artists, influencers and music fans in conversations about hearing protection, tinnitus prevention and long-term hearing health.

Why We Were There

For many people, live music creates unforgettable memories. It brings people together, provides a sense of community and can have a profound impact on wellbeing.

But enjoying live music shouldn’t come at the expense of hearing health.

Around one in seven adults live with tinnitus, and one in three musicians. Exposure to loud sound remains one of the leading preventable causes of hearing damage. Yet hearing protection is still often treated as an afterthought.

Our goal at Download was simple: help normalise conversations about hearing health while celebrating everything people love about live music.

A Festival Taking Hearing Health Seriously

One of the reasons Download felt like such a natural partner for Tinnitus UK is the festival’s commitment to audience wellbeing and accessibility.

Alongside British Sign Language interpretation and hearing loops across key locations, free earplugs were available on-site for festival-goers who wanted to protect their hearing while enjoying the weekend.

It’s a practical step that helps make hearing protection more visible, accessible and normalised within festival culture.

As more festivals embrace these measures, hearing health becomes part of the wider conversation about looking after yourself while enjoying live music.

What Artists Told Us

Throughout the weekend, we spoke to artists, creators and influencers about music, hearing health and the habits they have developed to protect their hearing.

A consistent message emerged: hearing protection matters.

Alice from Lake Malice shared how she manages the demands of life in music:

“I listen to ASMR and quiet time helps me so much.”

She also highlighted the importance of professional hearing protection:

“I wear my moulded in-ear monitors at gigs, they help so much.”

Becca from Marmozets reflected on how attitudes have changed over time:

“We’ve been doing this a while and now we really understand the importance of hearing protection.”

For her, hearing health has become part of everyday life:

“It’s always on my mind now. I keep earplugs attached to my keys so I can put them in whenever. It’s important.”

Mental health therapist and creator Robyn Ward, better known as The Metal Therapist, offered a simple reminder that protection should always be available:

“Even if I do forget my earplugs at a show, I make sure to pick up some free ones.”

The message was echoed by Black Water County:

“Ear protection is so, so important. You have to look after yourself.”

Members of RXPTORS spoke honestly about learning lessons later in their careers:

“I was late to the party, but I realised how important it is to save your hearing when your life revolves around music and making noise.”

The alt-influencers in attendance also delivered equally direct advice for music fans. Katie Pepper said:

“I can’t go to a festival or gig without earplugs.”

And perhaps our favourite from Mol Horne:

“Buy earplugs. You won’t regret it. Protect your ears, its serious.”

Stephanie even pointed out that hearing protection has become part of her festival style:

“You can get ones that match your outfit. I don’t even need earrings.”

Marmozets live at Download 2026 via Emma Stone

Learning From Experience

Some of the most powerful conversations came from artists sharing their personal experiences with hearing damage.

Ali and Foley from As It Is spoke candidly about how years of exposure to loud music have affected them.

Ali explained that after visiting an audiologist, he realised just how serious the situation had become:

“I have custom-fitted earplugs now from an audiologist. He said that if he didn’t know my background as a musician, he would have assumed I had a degenerative hearing condition. Now I’m taking steps to make sure I maintain my hearing health as well as I can.”

Drummer Foley shared a similar reflection:

“I have significant hearing problems. I have two perforated eardrums which is solely down to harsh exposure with no protection from an early age.”

His advice to younger musicians was simple:

“If I could rewind the clock, I would have protected my ears more efficiently earlier on. When the damage is done, it’s done. Earplugs are essential.”

These conversations highlight exactly why hearing health awareness matters. Prevention is always easier than treatment, and small actions today can make a significant difference in the future.

As It Is at Download 2026 via @stephxvisuals

Building on Tinnitus Week 2026

Download Festival felt like a natural continuation of the momentum generated during Tinnitus Week 2026.

The campaign reached millions of people and demonstrated the appetite for conversations about hearing health within the music community. Artists, fans, industry professionals and media outlets all engaged with the message.

By bringing those conversations into a major festival environment, we were able to connect directly with the people who live and breathe music every day.

Looking Ahead

Our time at Download reinforced something we’ve long believed: hearing health and live music are not opposing ideas.

People shouldn’t have to choose between protecting their hearing and enjoying the music they love.

Through practical measures, better awareness and industry-wide conversations, we can help ensure more people enjoy live music safely for years to come.

We’re incredibly grateful to Download Festival and Live Nation for welcoming us on-site and helping us continue this important work.

Together, we can help make hearing protection as much a part of live music culture as wristbands, wellies and festival memories.

 

Featured image – Download Festival 2023 by Todd Owyoung