For professional musicians, hearing isn’t simply a sense, it’s an essential part of their craft and livelihood. Remarkably, many musicians still perform under the belief that hearing loss is an inescapable aspect of their profession. This mindset, which views hearing damage as an inevitable consequence of the job, is both antiquated and harmful. The good thing is, recent legal developments and growing awareness are driving significant changes, challenging this harmful attitude and emphasizing the necessity of hearing protection.
Rethinking hearing safety in loud work environments
Musicians aren’t the only workers exposed to high noise levels. Similar dangers can be found in fields like construction and manufacturing. However, the music industry has been much slower and more resistant to utilizing ear protection. Several factors contribute to this disparity:
- Hazard Awareness: In construction and manufacturing, the array of hazards, such as heavy machinery and falling objects, warrants the use of safety gear like hard hats and ear protection. Protective equipment is a standard expectation that is well-incorporated into the work culture as a result.
- Performance Concerns: Musicians tend to shun hearing protection devices because they’re worried that their sense of hearing will be muted. There’s a common misconception that earplugs or earmuffs could interfere with sound quality or performance, in spite of evidence to the contrary. Outdated information is normally at the base of this misconception.
- Cultural Norms: The arts typically foster an environment where professionals feel privileged 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 concerns about insufficient hearing protection to themselves.
The impact of this “part of the job” mindset goes beyond musicians to other music industry professionals, including sound engineers, roadies, and venue staff, who also face hearing risks. A substantial number of individuals in the music industry have experienced hearing issues due to this collective complacency.
Legal precedents and changing attitudes
Industry attitudes with regard to hearing protection are changing as a result of several legal cases. This shift is highlighted 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 major hearing damage and tinnitus due to a lack of adequate protection. The viola player won the case and the court’s ruling stated that the music industry needs to follow workplace safety standards, 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 an essential reminder of that. It also indicates a turning point, urging industry stakeholders to prioritize the health and safety of their employees and contractors.
How to deal with tinnitus and acoustic shock
The prevalence of tinnitus and hearing loss in the music industry is shockingly high. Chronic tinnitus, permanent hearing damage, and hyperacusis caused by exposure to extremely loud sound is known as acoustic shock. For DJs, musicians, and their crews who are constantly exposed to loud sound this is an especially acute risk.
Fortunately, contemporary hearing protection technologies, including specialty earplugs and earmuffs, are designed to protect hearing without compromising sound quality.
Developing a culture of hearing loss preservation
The accessibility of effective hearing protection is no longer the problem; instead, it’s about cultivating a cultural shift within the music and entertainment industries. The goal is to normalize the use of hearing protection and shift away from the antiquated idea that hearing loss is an unavoidable aspect of the profession. The Royal Opera House case has catalyzed this change, highlighting the need for proactive actions to safeguard hearing.
As awareness increases and protective practices become standard, the prevalence of tinnitus and hearing loss in the music industry should decrease. We should never think of hearing loss as an “inescapable part of the job”. Protecting their hearing health and taking the appropriate safety measures is essential for every professional regardless of what their job is.
With this paradigm shift, professionals in the music industry can keep practicing their craft while still safeguarding 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.