For professional musicians, hearing isn’t just a sense, it’s a critical part of their craft and livelihood. Surprisingly, many musicians still operate under the belief that hearing loss is an inevitable feature of their profession. This mindset, which views hearing damage as an unavoidable consequence of the job, is both outdated and unhealthy. Luckily, this detrimental attitude is being challenged by growing awareness and recent legal developments which emphasize how important using hearing protection is.
Rethinking hearing safety in noisy work environments
Musicians aren’t the only professionals exposed to high noise levels. Similar risks can be found in industries like construction and manufacturing. However, the music industry has been much slower and more resistant to utilizing ear protection. A number of factors contribute to this discrepancy:
- Hazard Awareness: In construction and manufacturing, the range of hazards, such as heavy machinery and falling objects, necessitates the use of safety gear like hard hats and ear protection. This practice is well-integrated into the work culture, making protective gear a basic expectation.
- Performance Concerns: Musicians have a tendency to shun hearing protection devices because they’re concerned that their sense of hearing will be muted. Despite contrary evidence, there is a prevalent misconception that earplugs will muffle sound quality. Outdated information is normally at the root of this misconception.
- Cultural Norms: Individuals who make a living in the arts will often accept work conditions that might be less than optimal because they’re just thankful to be doing what they love. Many people in the music industry feel as if 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 encounter this “just part of the job” mindset, it also includes roadies, sound engineers, and event staff, whose hearing is also at risk. This collective complacency has historically led to a considerable number of people experiencing hearing-related problems.
Attitudes are changing due to legal precedents
Industry mindsets regarding hearing protection are shifting due to numerous legal cases. A landmark case concerning the Royal Opera House in London showcased this shift. The brass section was creating dangerously loud conditions which caused serious hearing damage to one viola player who wasn’t provided with adequate ear protection. The viola player won the case and the court’s ruling stated that the music industry has to follow workplace safety guidelines, and that includes hearing protection.
Every profession 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 forcing industry leaders to make the health and safety of their contractors and employees a focal point.
How to deal with tinnitus and acoustic shock
The prevalence of tinnitus and hearing loss in the music industry is alarmingly high. Repeated tinnitus, permanent hearing damage, and hyperacusis due to exposure to extremely loud sound is known as acoustic shock. The risk is particularly acute for people frequently exposed to loud environments, such as DJs, classical musicians, rock bands, and their support crews.
Here’s the good news, musicians can now get specialty hearing protection that will protect their hearing while still allowing them to get accurate sound fidelity.
Developing a culture of hearing loss preservation
Nowadays it’s all about nurturing 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 outdated notion that hearing loss is an inevitable aspect of the profession. The case of the Royal Opera House underscores the need to safeguard people’s hearing by taking proactive steps.
As awareness grows and protective practices become standard, the prevalence of tinnitus and hearing loss in the music industry should decline. We should never think of hearing loss as an “inevitable 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 asset, their hearing, while continuing to succeed in their craft.
Call us for a consultation if you’re in the music industry and have concerns about the health of your hearing.