Hearing is a vital part of a professional musician’s living and craft, not just a mere sense. Remarkably, many musicians still perform under the notion that hearing loss is an unavoidable element of their profession. This frame of mind, which regards hearing damage as an unavoidable consequence of the job, is both antiquated and unhealthy. The good thing is, recent legal developments and growing awareness are driving substantial changes, challenging this harmful attitude and emphasizing the necessity of hearing protection.
Noisy work environments and hearing safety
Musicians aren’t the only workers exposed to loud noise levels. Similar dangers can be found in sectors like construction and manufacturing. However, the music industry has been much slower and more resistant to using ear protection. 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. Protective gear is a common expectation that is well-incorporated into the work culture as a result.
- Performance Concerns: Musicians tend to shun ear protection devices because they’re concerned that their sense of hearing will be dulled. There’s a widespread misconception that earplugs or earmuffs might hinder sound quality or performance, despite evidence to the contrary. This resistance is typically based on out-of-date information.
- Cultural Norms: The arts often foster an environment where professionals feel lucky just to have a job, prompting them to accept suboptimal conditions without objection. Many people in the music industry feel as if raising concerns could put their careers at risk so they keep their potential concerns about insufficient hearing protection to themselves.
It isn’t 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 considerable number of people experiencing hearing-related problems.
Legal precedents and changing attitudes
Industry attitudes with regard to hearing protection are shifting due to numerous legal cases. This shift is highlighted by a groundbreaking legal case involving the Royal Opera House in London. The brass section was producing hazardously loud conditions which caused serious hearing damage to one viola player who wasn’t furnished with adequate 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 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 indicates 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 shocking how many music professionals suffer from some level of hearing impairment and tinnitus. Chronic tinnitus, permanent hearing damage, and hyperacusis due to exposure to very 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.
Fortunately, modern hearing protection technologies, including specialty earplugs and earmuffs, are designed to safeguard hearing without diminishing sound quality.
Cultivating hearing loss prevention as a culture
Today it’s all about creating a cultural shift in the entertainment and music industry, not about being able to find specialized hearing protection. The objective is to normalize the use of hearing protection and shift away from the antiquated idea that hearing loss is an inescapable part of the profession. The case of the Royal Opera House underscores the need to protect people’s hearing by taking proactive steps.
The prevalence of hearing loss and tinnitus in the music industry should decline with the increase of awareness and proactive steps. Hearing loss should never be considered “part of the job”. Protecting their hearing health and taking the proper safety measures is essential for every professional regardless of what their job is.
With this paradigm shift, professionals in the music industry can continue to practice their craft while still safeguarding their most valuable tool, their hearing.
If you are in the music industry and concerned about your hearing health, call us to schedule a hearing screening.
