Hearing is an essential part of a professional musician’s livelihood and craft, not only a mere sense. Surprisingly, many musicians still perform under the belief that hearing loss is an unavoidable aspect of their profession. This is both an outdated and unhealthy mindset. Luckily, this detrimental mindset is being challenged by growing awareness and recent legal developments which emphasize how important using hearing protection is.
Loud work settings and hearing safety
Musicians aren’t the only professionals exposed to high noise levels. Similar dangers can be found in industries like construction and manufacturing. However, these fields have generally been quicker to embrace protective strategies compared to the music industry. Several factors contribute to this disparity:
- 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. This practice is well-integrated into the work culture, making protective equipment a common expectation.
- Performance Concerns: Musicians tend to shun ear protection devices because they’re concerned that their sense of hearing will be muted. In spite of contrary evidence, there is a prevalent misconception that earplugs will mute sound quality. This resistance is typically based on out-of-date information.
- Cultural Norms: The arts often foster an environment where professionals feel fortunate just to have a job, leading 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 worries about insufficient hearing protection to themselves.
It’s not only the musicians who encounter this “just part of the job” mentality, it also includes roadies, sound engineers, and event staff, whose hearing is also at risk. A substantial number of people in the music industry have experienced hearing problems due to this collective complacency.
Legal precedents and changing attitudes
Important legal cases have begun to change industry attitudes toward hearing protection. A landmark case involving the Royal Opera House in London highlighted this shift. The brass section was producing dangerously loud conditions which caused major hearing damage to one viola player who wasn’t furnished with sufficient ear protection. The court’s decision in favor of the viola player underscored that the music industry must adhere to workplace safety guidelines, including 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 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.
Dealing with acoustic shock and tinnitus
The prevalence of tinnitus and hearing loss in the music industry is alarmingly high. Repeated tinnitus, irreversible hearing damage, and hyperacusis due to 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.
The good news is, musicians can now invest in specialty ear protection that will protect their hearing while still allowing them to get accurate sound fidelity.
Nurturing a culture of hearing loss preservation
The accessibility of reliable hearing protection is no longer the issue; instead, it’s about fostering a cultural shift within the music and entertainment industries. The primary objective is to move away from the antiquated idea that hearing loss is just an unavoidable part of being in the music industry and to normalize the use of protection. The Royal Opera House case has catalyzed this change, showcasing the need for proactive measures to protect hearing.
As awareness expands 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 “inescapable part of the job”. Safeguarding their hearing health and taking the appropriate safety steps is crucial for every professional regardless of what their job is.
By embracing this new paradigm, musicians and industry professionals can safeguard their most valuable asset, their hearing, while continuing to excel in their craft.
If you are in the music industry and concerned about your hearing health, contact us to schedule a hearing exam.
