For professional musicians, hearing isn’t simply a sense, it’s a crucial part of their craft and livelihood. However, many musicians still believe that hearing loss is just an inevitable outcome of practicing their craft. This frame of mind, which views hearing damage as an unavoidable consequence of the job, is both antiquated and harmful. The good thing is, recent legal developments and growing awareness are creating considerable changes, challenging this harmful attitude and emphasizing the importance of hearing protection.
Noisy work settings 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, these fields have typically been quicker to adopt protective strategies compared to the music industry. A number of factors contribute to this discrepancy:
- Hazard Awareness: In construction and manufacturing, the array of hazards, such as heavy equipment and falling objects, necessitates the use of safety gear including hard hats and ear protection. Protective equipment is a common expectation that is well-incorporated into the work culture as a result.
- Performance Concerns: Musicians rely on their hearing to perform, often leading to skepticism about hearing protection devices. In spite of contrary evidence, there is a prevailing misconception that earplugs will muffle sound quality. This resistance is usually based on out-of-date information.
- Cultural Norms: The arts often cultivate an environment where professionals feel lucky just to have a job, prompting them to accept suboptimal conditions without objection. This culture of acceptance includes inadequate hearing protection, with many fearing that raising concerns could jeopardize their career opportunities.
The impact of this “part of the job” mentality extends beyond musicians to other music industry professionals, including sound engineers, roadies, and venue staff, who also face hearing risks. This collective complacency has historically led to a significant number of individuals experiencing hearing-related issues.
Attitudes are changing due to legal precedents
Important legal cases have started to shift industry mindsets 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 noise levels from the brass section during a performance, suffered major hearing damage and tinnitus due to a lack of adequate protection. The viola player won the case and the court’s ruling stated that the music industry needs to follow workplace safety guidelines, and that includes 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 also indicates a turning point, urging industry stakeholders to prioritize the health and safety of their employees and contractors.
Dealing with acoustic shock and tinnitus
The prevalence of tinnitus and hearing loss in the music industry is alarmingly high. Chronic tinnitus, permanent hearing damage, and hyperacusis due to exposure to extremely loud sound is known as acoustic shock. The risk is particularly acute for people frequently exposed to loud environments, including DJs, classical musicians, rock bands, and their support crews.
Fortunately, contemporary hearing protection technologies, including specialized earplugs and earmuffs, are designed to protect hearing without compromising sound quality.
Cultivating hearing loss prevention as a culture
Nowadays it’s all about nurturing 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 antiquated belief that hearing loss is just an unavoidable 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.
As awareness grows 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 appropriate safety steps is essential for every professional no matter what their job is.
With this paradigm shift, professionals in the music industry can keep practicing their craft while still protecting their most valuable tool, their hearing.
If you’re in the music industry and worried about your hearing health, call us to schedule a hearing screening.