For professional musicians, hearing isn’t just a sense, it’s a crucial part of their art and livelihood. However, many musicians still think that hearing loss is just an inescapable result of practicing their craft. This is both an antiquated and unhealthy frame of mind. Luckily, this detrimental mindset is being challenged by growing awareness and recent legal developments which emphasize how important the use of hearing protection is.
Noisy work environments and hearing safety
Musicians aren’t the only professionals exposed to high noise levels. Similar risks can be found in fields like construction and manufacturing. However, these fields have typically been quicker to embrace protective measures compared to the music industry. Several factors contribute to this disparity:
- Hazard Awareness: In construction and manufacturing, the array of hazards, like heavy machinery and falling objects, necessitates the use of safety gear like hard hats and ear protection. This practice is well-incorporated into the work culture, making protective gear a common expectation.
- Performance Concerns: Musicians tend to shun hearing protection devices because they’re concerned that their sense of hearing will be muted. Despite contrary evidence, there is a widespread misconception that earplugs will muffle sound quality. This resistance is typically based on out-of-date information.
- Cultural Norms: The arts often cultivate an environment where professionals feel lucky just to have a job, leading them to accept suboptimal conditions without objection. Many people in the music industry feel as if raising concerns could put their careers at risk so they keep their potential concerns about insufficient hearing protection to themselves.
It’s not only the musicians who face this “just part of the job” mentality, it also includes road crews, sound engineers, and event staff, whose hearing is also at risk. This collective complacency has historically resulted in a significant number of individuals experiencing hearing-related issues.
Attitudes are changing due to legal precedents
Important legal cases have begun to change industry attitudes toward hearing protection. A landmark case concerning the Royal Opera House in London showcased this shift. A viola player, exposed to dangerously high noise levels from the brass section during a performance, suffered major 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 standards, including hearing protection.
This ruling serves as a crucial reminder that no industry, including the music industry, is exempt from the need for effective hearing protection. It’s also forcing industry leaders to make the health and safety of their contractors and employees a focal point.
How to address tinnitus and acoustic shock
The prevalence of tinnitus and hearing loss in the music industry is alarmingly high. Acoustic shock, a condition triggered by exposure to exceptionally loud noises, can result in persistent tinnitus, hyperacusis, and permanent hearing damage. For DJs, musicians, and their crews who are continuously exposed to loud sound this is a particularly acute risk.
Here’s the good news, musicians can now invest in specialized hearing protection that will protect their hearing while still allowing them to get accurate sound fidelity.
Nurturing hearing loss prevention as a culture
Today it’s all about nurturing a cultural shift in the entertainment and music industry, not about being able to get specialized hearing protection. The primary aim is to move away from the antiquated idea that hearing loss is just an inevitable part of being in the music industry and to normalize the use of protection. The case of the Royal Opera House underscores the need to protect people’s hearing by taking proactive steps.
The prevalence of hearing loss and tinnitus in the music industry should decrease with the growth of awareness and proactive steps. Hearing loss should never be considered “part of the job”. Safeguarding their hearing health and taking the proper 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 tool, their hearing.
If you are in the music industry and concerned about your hearing health, call us to schedule a hearing screening.