For professional musicians, hearing isn’t just a sense, it’s a crucial part of their craft and livelihood. Remarkably, many musicians still perform under the impression that hearing loss is an unavoidable element of their profession. This is both an outdated and harmful frame of mind. The good thing is, recent legal developments and growing awareness are creating considerable changes, challenging this harmful attitude and emphasizing the importance of hearing protection.
Noisy work environments and hearing safety
Musicians aren’t the only professionals exposed to high noise levels. Similar risks 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. A number of factors contribute to this disparity:
- Hazard Awareness: Safety gear, like hearing protection and hard hats, is essential because of dangers like falling objects and dangerous heavy machinery. This practice is well-integrated into the work culture, making protective equipment a basic expectation.
- Performance Concerns: Musicians rely on their hearing to perform, often leading to skepticism about hearing protection devices. In spite of contrary evidence, there is a prevailing misconception that earplugs will muffle sound quality. Out-of-date information is normally at the root of this misconception.
- Cultural Norms: People 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. This culture of acceptance includes inadequate hearing protection, with many fearing that raising concerns could jeopardize their career opportunities.
The effect of this “part of the job” mentality extends beyond musicians to other music industry workers, such as sound engineers, roadies, and venue staff, whose hearing is also at risk. A significant number of people in the music industry have experienced hearing problems due to this collective complacency.
Legal precedents and changing mindsets
Industry attitudes regarding hearing protection are changing as a result of several legal cases. A landmark case concerning the Royal Opera House in London highlighted this shift. 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 court’s decision in favor of the viola player underscored that the music industry must follow 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 an essential reminder of that. It’s also pushing industry leaders to make the health and safety of their contractors and employees a focal point.
Addressing acoustic shock and tinnitus
It’s alarming how many music professionals suffer from some level of hearing impairment and tinnitus. Chronic tinnitus, irreversible hearing damage, and hyperacusis due to exposure to very loud sound is known as acoustic shock. For DJs, musicians, and their crews who are regularly exposed to loud sound this is a particularly acute risk.
Fortunately, contemporary hearing protection technologies, including specialty earplugs and earmuffs, are designed to safeguard hearing without compromising sound quality.
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 goal is to normalize the use of hearing protection and move away from the antiquated belief that hearing loss is an inevitable aspect of the profession. The Royal Opera House case has catalyzed this change, showcasing the need for proactive actions to protect hearing.
As awareness grows and protective practices become standard, the prevalence of tinnitus and hearing loss in the music industry should decline. We should never think of hearing loss as an “inevitable part of the job”. It is crucial for all professionals, regardless of their field, to prioritize their hearing health and advocate for necessary protections.
With this paradigm shift, professionals in the music industry can keep practicing their craft while still protecting their most valuable tool, their hearing.
Contact us for a consultation if you’re in the music industry and have concerns about the health of your hearing.