For professional musicians, hearing isn’t just a sense, it’s a crucial part of their art and livelihood. Surprisingly, many musicians still operate under the belief that hearing loss is an unavoidable element of their profession. This is both an antiquated and unhealthy mindset. Luckily, this harmful mindset is being challenged by growing awareness and recent legal changes which highlight how important using hearing protection is.
Rethinking hearing safety in noisy work conditions
Musicians aren’t the only professionals exposed to loud noise levels. Occupations in construction, manufacturing, and other noisy industries also encounter similar dangers. However, the music industry has been a lot slower and more resistant to utilizing ear protection. A number of factors contribute to this disparity:
- Hazard Awareness: Safety equipment, like hearing protection and hard hats, is a must because of hazards like falling objects and dangerous heavy machinery. This practice is well-incorporated into the work culture, making protective equipment a common expectation.
- Performance Concerns: Musicians have a tendency to shun hearing protection devices because they’re worried that their sense of hearing will be muted. There’s a prevailing misconception that earplugs or earmuffs may hinder sound quality or performance, despite evidence to the contrary. Out-of-date information is normally at the root of this misconception.
- Cultural Norms: People who make a living in the arts will typically accept work conditions that might be less than optimal because they’re just grateful to be doing what they love. This culture of acceptance extends to insufficient hearing protection, with many fearing that raising concerns could jeopardize their career opportunities.
The impact of this “part of the job” mindset goes beyond musicians to other music industry workers, including sound engineers, roadies, and venue staff, whose hearing is also at risk. This collective complacency has historically led to a substantial number of people experiencing hearing-related issues.
Mindsets are changing as a result of legal precedents
Important legal cases have begun to shift industry mindsets toward hearing protection. A landmark case involving 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 extreme hearing damage and tinnitus because of a lack of adequate protection. The court’s decision in favor of the viola player underscored that the music industry needs to adhere to workplace safety guidelines, 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 an essential 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 alarming how many music professionals suffer from some level of hearing impairment 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.
Fortunately, modern hearing protection technologies, including specialized earplugs and earmuffs, are designed to protect hearing without compromising sound quality.
Cultivating hearing loss prevention as a culture
The availability of effective hearing protection is no longer the issue; rather, it’s about cultivating a cultural shift within the music and entertainment industries. The primary aim is to move away from the antiquated notion that hearing loss is just an inevitable part of being in the music industry and to normalize the use of protection. 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 decrease with the increase of awareness and proactive actions. We should never think of hearing loss as an “inevitable part of the job”. Safeguarding their hearing health and taking the appropriate safety steps is crucial for every professional no matter what their job is.
By embracing this new paradigm, musicians and industry professionals can safeguard their most valuable asset, their hearing, while continuing to succeed in their craft.
Give us a call for a consultation if you’re in the music industry and have concerns about the health of your hearing.