For professional musicians, hearing isn’t just a sense, it’s a critical part of their craft and livelihood. However, many musicians still think that hearing loss is just an inevitable result of practicing their craft. This attitude, which views hearing damage as an unavoidable consequence of the job, is both outdated and unhealthy. Fortunately, recent legal developments and growing awareness are driving considerable changes, challenging this harmful attitude and emphasizing the importance of hearing protection.
Rethinking hearing safety in loud work environments
Musicians aren’t the only workers exposed to high noise levels. Vocations in construction, manufacturing, and other loud industries also encounter similar dangers. However, these fields have generally been quicker to embrace protective strategies compared to the music industry. A number of factors contribute to this disparity:
- Hazard Awareness: In construction and manufacturing, the range of hazards, like heavy machinery and falling objects, warrants the use of safety gear including hard hats and ear protection. Protective gear is a common expectation that is well-integrated into the work culture as a result.
- Performance Concerns: Musicians rely on their hearing to perform, frequently leading to skepticism about hearing protection devices. There’s a widespread misconception that earplugs or earmuffs could interfere with sound quality or performance, despite evidence to the contrary. This resistance is typically based on outdated information.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 protest. 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” mentality extends beyond musicians to other music industry professionals, such as sound engineers, roadies, and venue staff, who also face hearing risks. A considerable number of individuals in the music industry have experienced hearing issues due to this collective complacency.
Attitudes are changing because of legal precedents
Important legal cases have started to shift industry mindsets toward hearing protection. This shift is underlined by a groundbreaking legal case concerning the Royal Opera House in London. The brass section was creating dangerously loud conditions which caused serious hearing damage to one viola player who wasn’t provided with sufficient ear protection. The court’s decision in favor of the viola player underscored that the music industry must adhere to workplace safety standards, including hearing protection.
This ruling serves as a crucial reminder that no industry, including the music industry, is excused from the need for effective hearing protection. It also indicates a turning point, urging industry stakeholders to prioritize the health and safety of their employees and contractors.
How to deal with tinnitus and acoustic shock
It’s shocking how many musicians suffer from some degree of hearing loss and tinnitus. Repeated tinnitus, irreversible hearing damage, and hyperacusis caused by exposure to extremely 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.
Here’s the good news, musicians can now get specialty ear protection that will protect their hearing while still allowing them to get accurate sound fidelity.
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 find specialized hearing protection. The objective is to normalize the use of hearing protection and shift away from the outdated belief that hearing loss is an inevitable aspect of the profession. The Royal Opera House case has catalyzed this change, highlighting the need for proactive measures to safeguard hearing.
As awareness grows and protective strategies become standard, the prevalence of tinnitus and hearing loss in the music industry should decrease. Hearing loss should never be regarded as “part of the job”. It is essential for all professionals, regardless of their field, to prioritize their hearing health and advocate for appropriate protections.
With this paradigm shift, professionals in the music industry can continue to practice their craft while still protecting their most valuable instrument, their hearing.
Give us a call for a consultation if you are in the music industry and have concerns about the health of your hearing.