For professional musicians, hearing isn’t just a sense, it’s a critical part of their art and livelihood. However, many musicians still think that hearing loss is just an unavoidable consequence of practicing their craft. This is both an antiquated and harmful frame of mind. Luckily, this detrimental attitude is being challenged by growing awareness and recent legal developments which emphasize how important the use of hearing protection is.
Loud work environments and hearing safety
The music industry isn’t the only career that comes with loud environments. Similar dangers can be found in fields like construction and manufacturing. However, these fields have generally been quicker to adopt protective strategies compared to the music industry. Several factors contribute to this discrepancy:
- Hazard Awareness: In construction and manufacturing, the range of hazards, such as heavy machinery and falling objects, necessitates the use of safety gear including hard hats and ear protection. Protective equipment is a standard expectation that is well-incorporated into the work culture as a result.
- Performance Concerns: Musicians have a tendency to shun ear protection devices because they’re concerned that their sense of hearing will be muted. There’s a common misconception that earplugs or earmuffs may interfere with sound quality or performance, despite evidence to the contrary. Outdated information is normally at the root of this misconception.
- Cultural Norms: The arts typically cultivate an environment where professionals feel privileged just to have a job, prompting them to accept suboptimal conditions without protest. This culture of acceptance extends to insufficient hearing protection, with many fearing that raising concerns could jeopardize their career opportunities.
It’s not only the musicians who encounter this “just part of the job” mentality, it also includes road crews, sound engineers, and event staff, whose hearing is also at risk. This collective complacency has historically led to a significant number of people experiencing hearing-related problems.
Attitudes are changing due to legal precedents
Important legal cases have begun to shift industry attitudes toward hearing protection. This shift is highlighted by a groundbreaking legal case concerning the Royal Opera House in London. A viola player, exposed to dangerously high levels of noise from the brass section during a performance, suffered major hearing damage and tinnitus due to a lack of adequate protection. The court’s decision in favor of the viola player underscored that the music industry needs to follow workplace safety standards, 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 focal point.
Dealing with acoustic shock and tinnitus
The prevalence of tinnitus and hearing loss in the music industry is alarmingly high. Acoustic shock, a condition triggered by exposure to extremely loud noises, can lead to persistent tinnitus, hyperacusis, and permanent hearing damage. 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 safeguard 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 problem; instead, it’s about fostering a cultural shift within the music and entertainment industries. The goal is to normalize the use of hearing protection and move away from the antiquated idea that hearing loss is an inevitable part of the profession. The case of the Royal Opera House underscores the need to safeguard people’s hearing by taking proactive steps.
The prevalence of hearing loss and tinnitus in the music industry should decrease with the growth of awareness and proactive steps. We should never think of hearing loss as an “unavoidable 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 safeguarding their most valuable instrument, their hearing.
If you’re in the music industry and worried about your hearing health, give us a call to schedule a hearing screening.