Hearing is a vital part of a professional musician’s livelihood and art, not simply a mere sense. Remarkably, many musicians still operate under the notion that hearing loss is an unavoidable aspect of their profession. This is both an antiquated and harmful mindset. 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 noisy work environments
The music industry isn’t the only occupation that comes with noisy settings. Vocations in construction, manufacturing, and other noisy industries also encounter similar dangers. However, these fields have generally been quicker to adopt protective measures compared to the music industry. A number of factors contribute to this discrepancy:
- Hazard Awareness: In construction and manufacturing, the array of hazards, like heavy equipment and falling objects, necessitates the use of safety gear including hard hats and ear protection. This practice is well-incorporated 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. In spite of contrary evidence, there is a prevalent misconception that earplugs will mute sound quality. This resistance is typically based on outdated information.
- Cultural Norms: The arts often foster an environment where professionals feel privileged just to have a job, leading them to accept suboptimal conditions without objection. 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” mindset extends beyond musicians to other music industry professionals, such as sound engineers, roadies, and venue staff, who also face hearing risks. This collective complacency has historically resulted in a considerable number of individuals experiencing hearing-related problems.
Legal precedents and changing mindsets
Significant legal cases have begun to shift industry mindsets toward hearing protection. A landmark case concerning the Royal Opera House in London highlighted this shift. A viola player, exposed to hazardously high noise levels from the brass section during a performance, suffered severe hearing damage and tinnitus due to a lack of adequate protection. The court’s decision in favor of the viola player underscored that the music industry needs to adhere to workplace safety standards, including 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’s also forcing industry leaders to make the health and safety of their contractors and employees a top priority.
How to address tinnitus and acoustic shock
It’s shocking how many music professionals suffer from some degree of hearing impairment and tinnitus. Repeated tinnitus, irreversible hearing damage, and hyperacusis due to exposure to very loud sound is known as acoustic shock. For DJs, musicians, and their crews who are constantly exposed to loud sound this is a particularly acute risk.
Luckily, modern hearing protection technologies, including specialized earplugs and earmuffs, are designed to protect hearing without diminishing 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 primary objective is to move away from the antiquated idea that hearing loss is just an inevitable part of being in the music industry and to normalize the use of protection. The Royal Opera House case has catalyzed this change, showcasing the need for proactive measures to protect hearing.
The preponderance of hearing loss and tinnitus in the music industry should decrease with the increase of awareness and proactive steps. We should never think of hearing loss as an “unavoidable part of the job”. It is essential for all professionals, regardless of their discipline, 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 safeguarding their most valuable instrument, their hearing.
If you are in the music industry and worried about your hearing health, contact us to schedule a hearing test.
