Hearing is a vital part of a professional musician’s living and craft, not simply a mere sense. However, many musicians still think that hearing loss is just an inescapable result of practicing their craft. This is both an outdated and harmful mindset. Fortunately, recent legal developments and growing awareness are creating substantial changes, challenging this detrimental attitude and emphasizing the importance of hearing protection.
Rethinking hearing safety in loud work conditions
Musicians aren’t the only workers exposed to high noise levels. Similar risks can be found in sectors 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 array of hazards, like heavy machinery and falling objects, warrants the use of safety gear including hard hats and ear protection. This practice is well-integrated into the work culture, making protective gear a basic expectation.
- Performance Concerns: Musicians tend to shun hearing protection devices because they’re worried that their sense of hearing will be muted. Despite contrary evidence, there is a prevalent misconception that earplugs will muffle sound quality. Out-of-date information is usually at the base of this misconception.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. 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 impact of this “part of the job” mindset goes beyond musicians to other music industry workers, such as sound engineers, roadies, and venue staff, who also face hearing risks. A significant number of people in the music industry have experienced hearing problems due to this collective complacency.
Mindsets are changing as a result of legal precedents
Important legal cases have started to shift industry mindsets toward hearing protection. A landmark case concerning the Royal Opera House in London showcased this shift. A viola player, exposed to dangerously high noise levels from the brass section during a performance, suffered extreme hearing damage and tinnitus because of a lack of adequate 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.
Every industry 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 signals 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 alarming how many music professionals suffer from some degree of hearing loss and tinnitus. Acoustic shock, a condition brought about by exposure to exceedingly loud noises, can result in persistent tinnitus, hyperacusis, and irreversible hearing damage. For DJs, musicians, and their crews who are constantly 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.
Developing a culture of hearing loss preservation
The availability of reliable hearing protection is no longer the issue; rather, it’s about fostering a cultural shift within the music and entertainment industries. The objective is to normalize the use of hearing protection and move away from the outdated belief that hearing loss is an inevitable aspect of the profession. The Royal Opera House case has catalyzed this change, highlighting the need for proactive measures to safeguard hearing.
As awareness grows and protective strategies become standard, the prevalence of tinnitus and hearing loss in the music industry should decrease. We should never think of hearing loss as an “unavoidable part of the job”. Safeguarding their hearing health and taking the proper safety measures is essential for every professional no matter what their job is.
By adopting this new paradigm, musicians and industry professionals can safeguard their most valuable tool, 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.