For professional musicians, hearing isn’t simply a sense, it’s an essential part of their art and livelihood. Remarkably, many musicians still perform under the belief that hearing loss is an inescapable element of their profession. This is both an outdated and unhealthy mindset. Luckily, this harmful mindset is being challenged by growing awareness and recent legal changes which highlight how important the use of hearing protection is.
Noisy work settings and hearing safety
Musicians aren’t the only professionals exposed to loud noise levels. Similar dangers can be found in fields like construction and manufacturing. However, the music industry has been a lot slower and more resistant to utilizing ear protection. A number of factors contribute to this discrepancy:
- Hazard Awareness: Safety gear, like hearing protection and hard hats, is a must due to hazards like falling objects and dangerous heavy machinery. This practice is well-integrated into the work culture, making protective equipment a common expectation.
- Performance Concerns: Musicians tend to shun hearing protection devices because they’re concerned that their sense of hearing will be muted. There’s a prevailing misconception that earplugs or earmuffs may interfere with sound quality or performance, despite evidence to the contrary. Out-of-date information is normally at the base of this misconception.
- Cultural Norms: The arts often cultivate an environment where professionals feel lucky just to have a job, prompting them to accept suboptimal conditions without protest. Many people in the music industry feel like raising concerns could put their careers at risk so they keep their potential worries about inadequate hearing protection to themselves.
It isn’t 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 people experiencing hearing-related problems.
Attitudes are changing because of legal precedents
Industry mindsets with regard to hearing protection are shifting as a result of several legal cases. A landmark case concerning the Royal Opera House in London showcased this shift. The brass section was creating hazardously loud conditions which caused serious hearing damage to one viola player who wasn’t provided with sufficient ear protection. The viola player won the case and the court’s ruling declared that the music industry needs to follow workplace safety standards, and that includes 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 also indicates a turning point, urging industry stakeholders to focus on the health and safety of their employees and contractors.
How to address tinnitus and acoustic shock
It’s shocking how many music professionals suffer from some degree of hearing loss and tinnitus. 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 continuously exposed to loud sound this is an especially acute risk.
Here’s the good news, musicians can now get specialized ear 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 creating a cultural shift in the entertainment and music industry, not about being able to find specialized hearing protection. The objective is to normalize the use of hearing protection and move away from the antiquated notion that hearing loss is an unavoidable part of the profession. The Royal Opera House case has catalyzed this change, showcasing the need for proactive actions to protect hearing.
The prevalence of hearing loss and tinnitus in the music industry should decrease with the increase of awareness and proactive measures. We should never think of hearing loss as an “inevitable part of the job”. It is essential for all professionals, regardless of their discipline, to prioritize their hearing health and advocate for necessary protections.
With this paradigm shift, professionals in the music industry can continue to practice their craft while still protecting their most valuable instrument, their hearing.
Call us for a consultation if you are in the music industry and have concerns about the health of your hearing.