Hearing is an essential part of a professional musician’s livelihood and art, not just a mere sense. However, many musicians still believe that hearing loss is just an inevitable consequence of practicing their craft. This is both an outdated and unhealthy frame of mind. Luckily, this detrimental attitude is being challenged by growing awareness and recent legal changes which highlight how important using hearing protection is.
Rethinking hearing safety in loud work conditions
The music industry isn’t the only career that comes with noisy environments. Vocations in construction, manufacturing, and other noisy industries also face similar dangers. However, the music industry has been much slower and more resistant to using ear protection. There are a number of reasons for this:
- Hazard Awareness: In construction and manufacturing, the range of hazards, such as heavy equipment and falling objects, necessitates the use of safety gear like hard hats and ear protection. Protective gear is a standard expectation that is well-incorporated into the work culture as a result.
- Performance Concerns: Musicians tend to shun ear protection devices because they’re worried that their sense of hearing will be dulled. There’s a prevailing misconception that earplugs or earmuffs could interfere with sound quality or performance, in spite of evidence to the contrary. Outdated information is usually at the root of this misconception.
- Cultural Norms: People 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. This culture of acceptance includes insufficient hearing protection, with many fearing that raising concerns could jeopardize their career opportunities.
The effect of this “part of the job” mentality extends beyond musicians to other music industry workers, including sound engineers, roadies, and venue staff, whose hearing is also at risk. A substantial number of people in the music industry have experienced hearing problems due to this collective complacency.
Mindsets are changing due to legal precedents
Industry attitudes with regard to hearing protection are changing due to several legal cases. This shift is highlighted by a groundbreaking legal case concerning the Royal Opera House in London. The brass section was producing hazardously 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.
This ruling serves as a critical reminder that no profession, including the music industry, is exempt from the need for reliable hearing protection. It’s also forcing industry leaders to make the health and safety of their contractors and employees a top priority.
How to deal with tinnitus and acoustic shock
It’s alarming how many musicians suffer from some degree of hearing loss and tinnitus. Repeated tinnitus, irreversible hearing damage, and hyperacusis caused by exposure to very loud sound is known as acoustic shock. The risk is particularly acute for people frequently exposed to loud settings, such as DJs, classical musicians, rock bands, and their support crews.
Fortunately, modern hearing protection technologies, including specialty earplugs and earmuffs, are designed to safeguard hearing without diminishing sound quality.
Developing a culture of hearing loss preservation
Today it’s all about creating a cultural shift in the entertainment and music industry, not about being able to get specialized hearing protection. The main aim is to move away from the outdated notion 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 measures.
The preponderance of hearing loss and tinnitus in the music industry should decrease with the increase of awareness and proactive actions. We should never think of hearing loss as an “inevitable part of the job”. It is essential for all professionals, regardless of their field, 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 safeguarding their most valuable tool, their hearing.
Contact us for a consultation if you are in the music industry and have concerns about the health of your hearing.