For professional musicians, hearing isn’t just a sense, it’s a vital part of their craft and livelihood. Surprisingly, many musicians still perform under the belief that hearing loss is an unavoidable feature of their profession. This attitude, which views hearing damage as an unavoidable consequence of the job, is both outdated and unhealthy. Luckily, this harmful mindset is being challenged by growing awareness and recent legal changes which highlight how important using hearing protection is.
Loud work environments and hearing safety
The music industry isn’t the only career that comes with noisy settings. Vocations in construction, manufacturing, and other noisy industries also encounter similar dangers. 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 ear protection and hard hats, is essential because of hazards like falling objects and dangerous heavy machinery. This practice is well-incorporated into the work culture, making protective gear a basic expectation.
- Performance Concerns: Musicians have a tendency to shun ear protection devices because they’re concerned that their sense of hearing will be muted. Despite contrary evidence, there is a prevalent misconception that earplugs will mute sound quality. This resistance is typically based on out-of-date information.
- Cultural Norms: The arts often cultivate an environment where professionals feel privileged just to have a job, leading them to accept suboptimal conditions without protest. This culture of acceptance includes inadequate 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” mindset, it also includes road crews, sound engineers, and event staff, whose hearing is also at risk. This collective complacency has historically led to a considerable number of people experiencing hearing-related problems.
Mindsets are changing due to legal precedents
Industry mindsets regarding hearing protection are changing as a result of several legal cases. A landmark case involving the Royal Opera House in London showcased this shift. The brass section was producing dangerously loud conditions which caused serious hearing damage to one viola player who wasn’t furnished with sufficient 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 signals a turning point, urging industry stakeholders to focus on the health and safety of their employees and contractors.
How to address tinnitus and acoustic shock
It’s alarming how many musicians suffer from some level of hearing loss and tinnitus. Acoustic shock, a condition brought about by exposure to extremely loud noises, can result in persistent tinnitus, hyperacusis, and permanent hearing damage. For DJs, musicians, and their crews who are regularly exposed to loud sound this is an especially acute risk.
Here’s the good news, musicians can now invest in specialty hearing protection that will protect their hearing while still allowing them to get accurate sound fidelity.
Nurturing 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 get specialized hearing protection. The main aim is to move away from the outdated belief 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 safeguard people’s hearing by taking proactive steps.
As awareness expands and protective strategies become standard, the prevalence of tinnitus and hearing loss in the music industry should decrease. We should never think of hearing loss as an “inescapable part of the job”. Protecting their hearing health and taking the proper safety steps is crucial for every professional no matter what their job is.
By adopting this new paradigm, musicians and industry professionals can safeguard their most valuable tool, their hearing, while continuing to excel in their craft.
If you are in the music industry and worried about your hearing health, contact us to schedule a hearing test.