Hearing is a vital part of a professional musician’s livelihood and craft, not only a mere sense. However, many musicians still believe that hearing loss is just an inescapable result of practicing their craft. This is both an antiquated and harmful frame of mind. Luckily, this harmful mindset is being challenged by growing awareness and recent legal changes which emphasize how important the use of hearing protection is.
Loud work settings and hearing safety
The music industry isn’t the only occupation that comes with loud settings. Vocations in construction, manufacturing, and other noisy industries also face similar dangers. However, these fields have generally been quicker to embrace protective strategies compared to the music industry. A number of factors contribute to this discrepancy:
- Hazard Awareness: Safety equipment, like hearing protection and hard hats, is essential because of hazards like falling objects and dangerous heavy machinery. Protective gear is a common 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 dulled. There’s a prevailing misconception that earplugs or earmuffs may hinder sound quality or performance, in spite of evidence to the contrary. Out-of-date information is usually at the base of this misconception.
- Cultural Norms: The arts often cultivate an environment where professionals feel fortunate just to have a job, prompting them to accept suboptimal conditions without objection. Many people in the music industry feel like raising concerns could put their careers at risk so they keep their potential concerns about inadequate hearing protection to themselves.
The effect of this “part of the job” mindset extends beyond musicians to other music industry professionals, such as sound engineers, roadies, and venue staff, whose hearing is also at risk. A substantial number of individuals in the music industry have experienced hearing issues due to this collective complacency.
Attitudes are changing as a result of legal precedents
Industry attitudes with regard to hearing protection are shifting due to numerous legal cases. This shift is highlighted by a groundbreaking legal case concerning the Royal Opera House in London. A viola player, exposed to dangerously high levels of noise from the brass section during a performance, suffered major hearing damage and tinnitus because of a lack of sufficient protection. The viola player won the case and the court’s ruling stated that the music industry has to follow workplace safety standards, and that includes hearing protection.
This ruling serves as a critical 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 focus on the health and safety of their employees and contractors.
How to deal with tinnitus and acoustic shock
It’s alarming how many music professionals suffer from some level of hearing loss and tinnitus. Chronic tinnitus, permanent hearing damage, and hyperacusis caused by exposure to extremely loud sound is known as acoustic shock. The risk is particularly acute for those frequently exposed to loud settings, including DJs, classical musicians, rock bands, and their support crews.
Here’s the good news, musicians can now get specialty ear protection that will safeguard their hearing while still allowing them to get accurate sound fidelity.
Cultivating hearing loss prevention as a culture
Today 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 shift away from the antiquated notion that hearing loss is an unavoidable part of the profession. The case of the Royal Opera House underscores the need to protect people’s hearing by taking proactive steps.
The preponderance of hearing loss and tinnitus in the music industry should decline with the increase of awareness and proactive actions. We should never think of hearing loss as an “inescapable part of the job”. It is crucial 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 tool, their hearing, while continuing to excel in their craft.
If you are in the music industry and concerned about your hearing health, give us a call to schedule a hearing test.