For professional musicians, hearing isn’t simply a sense, it’s a crucial part of their art and livelihood. Surprisingly, many musicians still perform under the notion that hearing loss is an inescapable aspect of their profession. This frame of mind, which views hearing damage as an inevitable consequence of the job, is both outdated and unhealthy. Luckily, this detrimental mindset is being challenged by growing awareness and recent legal developments which emphasize how important the use of hearing protection is.
Rethinking hearing safety in loud work conditions
Musicians aren’t the only professionals exposed to loud noise levels. Similar dangers can be found in industries like construction and manufacturing. However, the music industry has been a lot slower and more resistant to making use of ear protection. There are several reasons for this:
- Hazard Awareness: Safety gear, like ear protection and hard hats, is essential due to dangers like falling objects and dangerous heavy machinery. Protective equipment is a standard expectation that is well-incorporated into the work culture as a result.
- Performance Concerns: Musicians depend on their hearing to perform, often resulting in skepticism about hearing protection devices. Despite contrary evidence, there is a prevalent misconception that earplugs will mute sound quality. This resistance is typically based on out-of-date information.
- Cultural Norms: The arts typically foster an environment where professionals feel fortunate just to have a job, leading them to accept suboptimal conditions without objection. Many people in the music industry feel like raising concerns could put their careers at risk so they keep their potential concerns about inadequate hearing protection to themselves.
It’s not only the musicians who face this “just part of the job” mentality, it also includes roadies, sound engineers, and event staff, whose hearing is also at risk. A significant number of individuals in the music industry have experienced hearing problems due to this collective complacency.
Legal precedents and changing attitudes
Significant legal cases have begun to shift industry mindsets toward hearing protection. This shift is highlighted by a groundbreaking legal case concerning the Royal Opera House in London. A viola player, exposed to dangerously high levels of noise from the brass section during a performance, suffered major hearing damage and tinnitus because of a lack of sufficient protection. The viola player won the case and the court’s ruling declared that the music industry has to follow workplace safety standards, and that includes hearing protection.
Every industry that is overly loud, including the music industry, needs to have safety standards in place that require hearing protection, and this ruling is a crucial reminder of that. It’s also pushing 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 extremely loud noises, can lead to persistent tinnitus, hyperacusis, and irreversible hearing damage. For DJs, musicians, and their crews who are regularly exposed to loud sound this is an especially acute risk.
The good news is, musicians can now get specialized hearing protection that will safeguard their hearing while still allowing them to get accurate sound fidelity.
Nurturing a culture of hearing loss preservation
Nowadays it’s all about creating a cultural shift in the entertainment and music industry, not about being able to get specialized hearing protection. The objective is to normalize the use of hearing protection and shift away from the antiquated belief that hearing loss is an inescapable aspect of the profession. The case of the Royal Opera House underscores the need to safeguard people’s hearing by taking proactive steps.
The preponderance of hearing loss and tinnitus in the music industry should decline with the increase of awareness and proactive measures. Hearing loss should never be considered “part of the job”. Safeguarding their hearing health and taking the appropriate safety steps is essential for every professional regardless of what their job is.
By embracing this new paradigm, musicians and industry professionals can safeguard their most valuable tool, their hearing, while continuing to succeed in their craft.
If you’re in the music industry and worried about your hearing health, contact us to schedule a hearing test.