Hearing Loss in Musicians – Breaking the Silence

Hearing is an essential part of a professional musician’s living and craft, not only a mere sense. Remarkably, many musicians still perform under the impression that hearing loss is an inevitable feature of their profession. This attitude, which regards hearing damage as an unavoidable consequence of the job, is both antiquated and harmful. The good thing is, recent legal developments and growing awareness are driving substantial changes, challenging this detrimental attitude and emphasizing the importance of hearing protection.

Loud work settings and hearing safety

Musicians aren’t the only professionals exposed to high noise levels. Occupations in construction, manufacturing, and other loud industries also encounter similar risks. However, the music industry has been a lot slower and more resistant to using ear protection. There are a number of reasons for this:

• Hazard Awareness: Safety gear, like ear protection and hard hats, is essential due to hazards like falling objects and dangerous heavy machinery. This practice is well-integrated into the work culture, making protective gear a basic expectation.
• Performance Concerns: Musicians rely on their hearing to perform, frequently leading to skepticism about hearing protection devices. There’s a prevailing misconception that earplugs or earmuffs could interfere with sound quality or performance, despite evidence to the contrary. Outdated information is normally at the root of this misconception.
• Cultural Norms: People who make a living in the arts will often accept work conditions that may be less than optimal because they’re just thankful to be doing what they love. Many people in the music industry feel like raising concerns could put their careers at risk so they keep their potential worries about insufficient hearing protection to themselves.

It’s not only the musicians who encounter this “just part of the job” mentality, it also includes roadies, sound engineers, and event staff, whose hearing is also at risk. This collective complacency has historically led to a significant number of people experiencing hearing-related problems.

Mindsets are changing as a result of legal precedents

Industry attitudes with regard to hearing protection are shifting as a result of several legal cases. A landmark case involving the Royal Opera House in London showcased this shift. A viola player, exposed to dangerously high levels of noise from the brass section during a performance, suffered extreme hearing damage and tinnitus due to a lack of adequate protection. The court’s decision in favor of the viola player underscored that the music industry needs to adhere to workplace safety guidelines, including hearing protection.

This ruling serves as a crucial reminder that no profession, including the music industry, is excused from the need for reliable hearing protection. It’s also pushing industry leaders to make the health and safety of their contractors and employees a top priority.

How to address tinnitus and acoustic shock

The prevalence of tinnitus and hearing loss in the music industry is alarmingly high. Chronic tinnitus, irreversible hearing damage, and hyperacusis due to exposure to very loud sound is known as acoustic shock. For DJs, musicians, and their crews who are constantly exposed to loud sound this is an especially acute risk.

Here’s the good news, musicians can now invest in specialty ear protection that will protect their hearing while still allowing them to get accurate sound fidelity.

Nurturing hearing loss prevention as a culture

The accessibility of effective hearing protection is no longer the issue; instead, it’s about cultivating a cultural shift within the music and entertainment industries. The objective is to normalize the use of hearing protection and shift away from the antiquated belief that hearing loss is an inescapable part of the profession. The case of the Royal Opera House underscores the need to protect people’s hearing by taking proactive steps.

As awareness increases and protective strategies become standard, the incidence of tinnitus and hearing loss in the music industry should decrease. We should never think of hearing loss as an “unavoidable part of the job”. Protecting their hearing health and taking the appropriate safety measures is essential for every professional no matter what their job is.

With this paradigm shift, professionals in the music industry can keep practicing their craft while still protecting their most valuable instrument, their hearing.

If you’re in the music industry and concerned about your hearing health, contact us to schedule a hearing exam.