Hearing is an essential part of a professional musician’s living and craft, not simply a mere sense. However, many musicians still believe that hearing loss is just an unavoidable consequence of practicing their craft. This is both an outdated and unhealthy frame of mind. Luckily, this harmful mindset is being challenged by growing awareness and recent legal changes which emphasize how important using hearing protection is.
Loud work settings and hearing safety
The music industry isn’t the only occupation that comes with loud environments. Similar dangers can be found in sectors like construction and manufacturing. However, the music industry has been a lot slower and more resistant to using ear protection. There are a number of reasons for this:
- Hazard Awareness: Safety equipment, like ear protection and hard hats, is essential due to dangers like falling objects and dangerous heavy machinery. Protective gear is a common expectation that is well-integrated into the work culture as a result.
- Performance Concerns: Musicians have a tendency to shun hearing protection devices because they’re concerned that their sense of hearing will be muted. In spite of contrary evidence, there is a widespread misconception that earplugs will mute sound quality. This resistance is usually based on outdated information.
- Cultural Norms: The arts typically cultivate an environment where professionals feel fortunate just to have a job, leading them to accept suboptimal conditions without protest. 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 impact of this “part of the job” mentality extends beyond musicians to other music industry professionals, such as sound engineers, roadies, and venue staff, who also face hearing risks. A substantial number of individuals in the music industry have experienced hearing problems due to this collective complacency.
Attitudes are changing due to legal precedents
Important legal cases have started to change industry attitudes toward hearing protection. This shift is underlined by a groundbreaking legal case involving the Royal Opera House in London. A viola player, exposed to dangerously high levels of noise 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 stated that the music industry has to follow workplace safety standards, and that includes 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 also signals a turning point, urging industry stakeholders to prioritize 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 impairment and tinnitus. Chronic tinnitus, irreversible hearing damage, and hyperacusis due to exposure to very loud sound is known as acoustic shock. The risk is particularly acute for those frequently exposed to loud settings, such as DJs, classical musicians, rock bands, and their support crews.
The good news is, musicians can now invest in specialized ear protection that will protect their hearing while still allowing them to get accurate sound fidelity.
Cultivating hearing loss prevention as a culture
Nowadays it’s all about creating a cultural shift in the entertainment and music industry, not about being able to find specialized hearing protection. The goal is to normalize the use of hearing protection and shift away from the outdated belief that hearing loss is an unavoidable aspect of the profession. The case of the Royal Opera House underscores the need to safeguard people’s hearing by taking proactive measures.
The preponderance of hearing loss and tinnitus in the music industry should decline with the growth of awareness and proactive steps. Hearing loss should never be regarded as “part of the job”. It is essential for all professionals, regardless of their field, to prioritize their hearing health and advocate for necessary protections.
By embracing this new paradigm, musicians and industry professionals can protect their most valuable asset, their hearing, while continuing to succeed in their craft.
If you’re in the music industry and worried about your hearing health, call us to schedule a hearing screening.
