Hearing is a vital part of a professional musician’s livelihood and craft, not simply a mere sense. Surprisingly, many musicians still operate under the impression that hearing loss is an inevitable aspect of their profession. This is both an outdated and harmful frame of mind. Luckily, this detrimental mindset is being challenged by growing awareness and recent legal developments which emphasize how important the use of hearing protection is.
Rethinking hearing safety in loud work environments
Musicians aren’t the only workers exposed to loud noise levels. Occupations in construction, manufacturing, and other noisy industries also face similar risks. However, the music industry has been a lot slower and more resistant to utilizing ear protection. There are several reasons for this:
- Hazard Awareness: Safety gear, like hearing protection and hard hats, is essential due to hazards like falling objects and dangerous heavy machinery. This practice is well-integrated into the work culture, making protective equipment a common expectation.
- Performance Concerns: Musicians depend on their hearing to perform, frequently resulting in skepticism about hearing protection devices. Despite contrary evidence, there is a prevailing misconception that earplugs will muffle sound quality. This resistance is typically based on outdated information.
- Cultural Norms: The arts often cultivate an environment where professionals feel privileged just to have a job, prompting 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 isn’t only the musicians who face this “just part of the job” mindset, it also includes road crews, sound engineers, and event staff, whose hearing is also at risk. A considerable number of individuals in the music industry have experienced hearing issues due to this collective complacency.
Mindsets are changing as a result of legal precedents
Industry mindsets regarding hearing protection are changing due to several legal cases. This shift is underlined by a groundbreaking legal case involving the Royal Opera House in London. A viola player, exposed to hazardously high noise levels from the brass section during a performance, suffered major hearing damage and tinnitus because of a lack of sufficient protection. The viola player won the case and the court’s ruling declared 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’s also pushing industry leaders to make the health and safety of their contractors and employees a top priority.
Addressing acoustic shock and tinnitus
It’s alarming how many music professionals suffer from some degree of hearing loss and tinnitus. Chronic 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 get specialty hearing protection that will protect their hearing while still allowing them to get accurate sound fidelity.
Nurturing a culture of hearing loss preservation
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 goal is to normalize the use of hearing protection and move away from the outdated idea that hearing loss is an inevitable aspect of the profession. The Royal Opera House case has catalyzed this change, emphasizing the need for proactive actions to safeguard hearing.
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”. It is crucial for all professionals, regardless of their field, to prioritize their hearing health and advocate for appropriate protections.
By adopting this new paradigm, musicians and industry professionals can safeguard their most valuable asset, their hearing, while continuing to excel in their craft.
Contact us for a consultation if you are in the music industry and have concerns about the health of your hearing.
