For professional musicians, hearing isn’t simply a sense, it’s an essential part of their craft and livelihood. However, many musicians still think that hearing loss is just an unavoidable result of practicing their craft. This attitude, which regards hearing damage as an inevitable consequence of the job, is both outdated and unhealthy. The good thing is, recent legal developments and growing awareness are driving considerable changes, challenging this detrimental attitude and emphasizing the necessity of hearing protection.
Noisy work environments and hearing safety
Musicians aren’t the only professionals exposed to loud noise levels. Similar risks can be found in fields like construction and manufacturing. However, these industries have typically been quicker to adopt protective measures compared to the music industry. A number of factors contribute to this discrepancy:
- 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 equipment is a common expectation that is well-incorporated 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 common misconception that earplugs or earmuffs might interfere with sound quality or performance, despite evidence to the contrary. Outdated information is usually at the base of this misconception.
- Cultural Norms: Individuals who make a living in the arts will often accept work conditions that might 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 inadequate hearing protection to themselves.
The effect of this “part of the job” mindset extends beyond musicians to other music industry professionals, including sound engineers, roadies, and venue staff, who also face hearing risks. A considerable number of individuals in the music industry have experienced hearing problems due to this collective complacency.
Legal precedents and changing mindsets
Industry mindsets with regard to hearing protection are changing as a result of several legal cases. A landmark case concerning the Royal Opera House in London highlighted this shift. The brass section was producing dangerously loud conditions which caused severe hearing damage to one viola player who wasn’t provided with adequate ear protection. The court’s decision in favor of the viola player underscored that the music industry needs to adhere to workplace safety guidelines, including 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 a crucial reminder of that. 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 shocking how many music professionals suffer from some level of hearing loss and tinnitus. Chronic tinnitus, irreversible hearing damage, and hyperacusis caused by exposure to extremely loud sound is known as acoustic shock. The risk is especially acute for those frequently exposed to loud environments, such as DJs, classical musicians, rock bands, and their support crews.
Here’s the good news, musicians can now invest in specialty ear protection that will safeguard their hearing while still allowing them to get accurate sound fidelity.
Cultivating a culture of hearing loss preservation
Nowadays 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 move away from the outdated notion that hearing loss is an unavoidable part of the profession. The Royal Opera House case has catalyzed this change, highlighting the need for proactive measures to safeguard hearing.
The prevalence 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”. Protecting their hearing health and taking the appropriate safety steps is essential for every professional no matter what their job is.
With this paradigm shift, professionals in the music industry can continue to practice their craft while still safeguarding their most valuable instrument, their hearing.
If you are in the music industry and concerned about your hearing health, give us a call to schedule a hearing screening.