Hearing is an essential part of a professional musician’s living and art, not just a mere sense. However, many musicians still think that hearing loss is just an unavoidable outcome of practicing their craft. This attitude, which views hearing damage as an unavoidable consequence of the job, is both outdated and harmful. Luckily, this harmful attitude is being challenged by growing awareness and recent legal changes which highlight how important using hearing protection is.
Noisy work settings and hearing safety
Musicians aren’t the only professionals exposed to loud noise levels. Similar risks can be found in sectors like construction and manufacturing. However, these fields have generally been quicker to adopt protective measures compared to the music industry. A number of factors contribute to this disparity:
- Hazard Awareness: In construction and manufacturing, the range of hazards, such as heavy equipment and falling objects, warrants 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 tend to shun hearing protection devices because they’re worried that their sense of hearing will be dulled. There’s a common misconception that earplugs or earmuffs may hinder sound quality or performance, despite evidence to the contrary. Outdated information is usually at the root of this misconception.
- Cultural Norms: The arts often foster an environment where professionals feel lucky just to have a job, prompting them to accept suboptimal conditions without protest. 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.
It’s not only the musicians who encounter this “just part of the job” mindset, it also includes road crews, sound engineers, and event staff, whose hearing is also at risk. This collective complacency has historically resulted in a significant number of individuals experiencing hearing-related problems.
Legal precedents and changing mindsets
Significant legal cases have begun to change industry mindsets toward hearing protection. A landmark case concerning the Royal Opera House in London highlighted this shift. The brass section was creating dangerously loud conditions which caused severe hearing damage to one viola player who wasn’t provided with sufficient ear 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.
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 prioritize the health and safety of their employees and contractors.
Dealing with acoustic shock and tinnitus
The prevalence of tinnitus and hearing loss in the music industry is shockingly high. Chronic tinnitus, irreversible hearing damage, and hyperacusis due to exposure to extremely loud sound is known as acoustic shock. The risk is particularly acute for individuals frequently exposed to loud environments, including DJs, classical musicians, rock bands, and their support crews.
Here’s the good news, musicians can now get specialty hearing protection that will safeguard their hearing while still allowing them to get accurate sound fidelity.
Cultivating a culture of hearing loss preservation
The availability of reliable hearing protection is no longer the problem; rather, 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 outdated belief that hearing loss is an inescapable part of the profession. The Royal Opera House case has catalyzed this change, showcasing the need for proactive measures to protect hearing.
As awareness increases and protective strategies become standard, the incidence 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”. It is essential for all professionals, regardless of their discipline, 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 instrument, their hearing.
If you’re in the music industry and worried about your hearing health, call us to schedule a hearing exam.