For professional musicians, hearing isn’t simply a sense, it’s a critical part of their art and livelihood. However, many musicians still think that hearing loss is just an inevitable 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 changes which emphasize how important using hearing protection is.
Rethinking hearing safety in noisy 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, these industries have generally been quicker to embrace protective measures compared to the music industry. Several factors contribute to this discrepancy:
- Hazard Awareness: In construction and manufacturing, the range of hazards, like heavy equipment and falling objects, necessitates the use of safety gear including hard hats and ear protection. Protective equipment is a common expectation that is well-integrated into the work culture as a result.
- Performance Concerns: Musicians depend on their hearing to perform, often leading to skepticism about hearing protection devices. There’s a widespread misconception that earplugs or earmuffs could hinder sound quality or performance, despite evidence to the contrary. Outdated information is normally at the base of this misconception.
- Cultural Norms: Individuals who make a living in the arts will typically accept work conditions that may be less than optimal because they’re just grateful 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 worries about insufficient hearing protection to themselves.
The effect of this “part of the job” mindset goes beyond musicians to other music industry workers, such as sound engineers, roadies, and venue staff, whose hearing is also at risk. A considerable number of people in the music industry have experienced hearing problems due to this collective complacency.
Legal precedents and changing attitudes
Important legal cases have started to shift industry attitudes toward hearing protection. This shift is underlined by a groundbreaking legal case involving the Royal Opera House in London. A viola player, exposed to hazardously high levels of noise from the brass section during a performance, suffered severe 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 must adhere to workplace safety guidelines, including hearing protection.
This ruling serves as a crucial reminder that no industry, including the music industry, is excused from the need for reliable hearing protection. It also signals a turning point, urging industry stakeholders to prioritize the health and safety of their employees and contractors.
Dealing with acoustic shock and tinnitus
It’s shocking how many music professionals suffer from some degree of hearing impairment and tinnitus. 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 continuously exposed to loud sound this is an especially acute risk.
Luckily, modern hearing protection technologies, including specialty earplugs and earmuffs, are designed to safeguard hearing without diminishing sound quality.
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 primary objective is to move away from the outdated 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 decline with the growth of awareness and proactive steps. We should never think of hearing loss as an “unavoidable part of the job”. It is essential for all professionals, regardless of their discipline, to prioritize their hearing health and advocate for necessary protections.
By adopting this new paradigm, musicians and industry professionals can protect their most valuable asset, their hearing, while continuing to excel in their craft.
Contact us for a consultation if you’re in the music industry and have concerns about the health of your hearing.