For professional musicians, hearing isn’t just a sense, it’s a critical part of their art and livelihood. Surprisingly, many musicians still operate under the impression that hearing loss is an unavoidable element of their profession. This is both an outdated and harmful frame of mind. Luckily, this detrimental attitude is being challenged by growing awareness and recent legal developments which highlight how important using hearing protection is.
Rethinking hearing safety in noisy work conditions
The music industry isn’t the only career that comes with loud settings. Occupations in construction, manufacturing, and other noisy industries also encounter similar risks. However, the music industry has been much slower and more resistant to using ear protection. There are a number of reasons for this:
- Hazard Awareness: Safety equipment, like hearing protection and hard hats, is a must due to dangers like falling objects and dangerous heavy machinery. This practice is well-integrated into the work culture, making protective gear a common expectation.
- Performance Concerns: Musicians rely on their hearing to perform, frequently resulting in skepticism about hearing protection devices. There’s a common misconception that earplugs or earmuffs might interfere with sound quality or performance, despite evidence to the contrary. This resistance is typically based on out-of-date information.
- Cultural Norms: The arts typically foster an environment where professionals feel lucky just to have a job, leading them to accept suboptimal conditions without protest. Many people in the music industry feel like raising concerns could put their careers at risk so they keep their potential concerns about inadequate hearing protection to themselves.
The effect of this “part of the job” mindset goes beyond musicians to other music industry professionals, such as sound engineers, roadies, and venue staff, who also face hearing risks. A considerable number of people in the music industry have experienced hearing issues due to this collective complacency.
Legal precedents and changing attitudes
Significant legal cases have begun to change industry attitudes 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 severe 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 needs to follow workplace safety guidelines, 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 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 shocking how many musicians suffer from some level of hearing impairment and tinnitus. Acoustic shock, a condition brought about by exposure to extremely loud noises, can lead to persistent tinnitus, hyperacusis, and permanent hearing damage. The risk is especially acute for people frequently exposed to loud settings, such as DJs, classical musicians, rock bands, and their support crews.
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 accessibility of reliable hearing protection is no longer the problem; instead, it’s about cultivating a cultural shift within the music and entertainment industries. The objective is to normalize the use of hearing protection and shift away from the outdated notion that hearing loss is an unavoidable aspect of the profession. The case of the Royal Opera House underscores the need to safeguard people’s hearing by taking proactive steps.
The prevalence of hearing loss and tinnitus in the music industry should decline with the increase of awareness and proactive measures. Hearing loss should never be considered “part of the job”. It is essential for all professionals, regardless of their field, to prioritize their hearing health and advocate for necessary protections.
With this paradigm shift, professionals in the music industry can continue to practice their craft while still protecting their most valuable tool, their hearing.
Call us for a consultation if you’re in the music industry and have concerns about the health of your hearing.