Hearing is a vital part of a professional musician’s living and art, not only a mere sense. However, many musicians still believe that hearing loss is just an inescapable result of practicing their craft. This is both an outdated and harmful mindset. The good thing is, recent legal developments and growing awareness are creating considerable changes, challenging this detrimental attitude and emphasizing the necessity of hearing protection.
Loud work environments and hearing safety
Musicians aren’t the only workers exposed to loud noise levels. Vocations in construction, manufacturing, and other loud industries also face similar risks. However, the music industry has been a lot slower and more resistant to using ear protection. Several factors contribute to this discrepancy:
- Hazard Awareness: In construction and manufacturing, the array of hazards, such as heavy equipment and falling objects, warrants the use of safety gear like hard hats and ear protection. Protective equipment is a common expectation that is well-integrated 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 prevailing misconception that earplugs or earmuffs could interfere with sound quality or performance, despite evidence to the contrary. This resistance is usually based on outdated information.
- Cultural Norms: Individuals who make a living in the arts will often accept work conditions that might be less than optimal because they’re just thankful to be doing what they love. This culture of acceptance includes insufficient hearing protection, with many fearing that raising concerns could jeopardize their career opportunities.
The effect of this “part of the job” mindset extends beyond musicians to other music industry workers, such as sound engineers, roadies, and venue staff, who also face hearing risks. This collective complacency has historically resulted in a significant number of people experiencing hearing-related issues.
Attitudes are changing due to legal precedents
Significant legal cases have started to shift industry attitudes toward hearing protection. This shift is underlined by a groundbreaking legal case concerning the Royal Opera House in London. A viola player, exposed to hazardously high noise levels from the brass section during a performance, suffered severe 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 standards, 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 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.
How to deal with tinnitus and acoustic shock
It’s shocking how many music professionals suffer from some degree of hearing loss and tinnitus. Repeated tinnitus, irreversible hearing damage, and hyperacusis caused by exposure to very loud sound is known as acoustic shock. For DJs, musicians, and their crews who are continuously exposed to loud sound this is an especially acute risk.
Here’s the good news, musicians can now invest in specialty ear protection that will protect their hearing while still allowing them to get accurate sound fidelity.
Developing a culture of hearing loss preservation
Today it’s all about nurturing a cultural shift in the entertainment and music industry, not about being able to find specialized hearing protection. The primary objective is to move away from the outdated notion that hearing loss is just an inescapable part of being in the music industry and to normalize the use of protection. The Royal Opera House case has catalyzed this change, highlighting the need for proactive actions to protect hearing.
The preponderance of hearing loss and tinnitus in the music industry should decline with the increase of awareness and proactive measures. Hearing loss should never be regarded as “part of the job”. It is crucial for all professionals, regardless of their discipline, to prioritize their hearing health and advocate for necessary protections.
By embracing this new paradigm, musicians and industry professionals can safeguard their most valuable asset, their hearing, while continuing to succeed in their craft.
Call us for a consultation if you are in the music industry and have concerns about the health of your hearing.