Hearing is a vital part of a professional musician’s livelihood and art, not only a mere sense. However, many musicians still believe that hearing loss is just an inevitable result of practicing their craft. This is both an outdated and harmful mindset. Luckily, this harmful mindset is being challenged by growing awareness and recent legal developments which emphasize how important using hearing protection is.
Rethinking hearing safety in noisy work environments
The music industry isn’t the only career that comes with noisy environments. Similar dangers can be found in fields like construction and manufacturing. However, the music industry has been a lot slower and more resistant to using ear protection. There are several reasons for this:
- Hazard Awareness: Safety equipment, like hearing protection and hard hats, is essential due to hazards like falling objects and dangerous heavy machinery. Protective equipment is a standard expectation that is well-incorporated into the work culture as a result.
- Performance Concerns: Musicians depend on their hearing to perform, frequently leading to skepticism about hearing protection devices. There’s a common misconception that earplugs or earmuffs could hinder sound quality or performance, in spite of evidence to the contrary. This resistance is typically based on outdated information.
- Cultural Norms: People who make a living in the arts will often accept work conditions that may be less than optimal because they’re just grateful to be doing what they love. 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 impact of this “part of the job” mindset goes beyond musicians to other music industry workers, including sound engineers, roadies, and venue staff, who also face hearing risks. A considerable number of individuals in the music industry have experienced hearing problems due to this collective complacency.
Mindsets are changing because of legal precedents
Industry attitudes with regard to hearing protection are changing as a result of numerous legal cases. 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 viola player won the case and the court’s ruling declared that the music industry has 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 focal point.
How to deal with tinnitus and acoustic shock
The prevalence of tinnitus and hearing loss in the music industry is shockingly high. Chronic tinnitus, permanent hearing damage, and hyperacusis due to exposure to very loud sound is known as acoustic shock. The risk is particularly acute for people frequently exposed to loud environments, such as DJs, classical musicians, rock bands, and their support crews.
The good news is, musicians can now get specialized hearing protection that will protect their hearing while still allowing them to get accurate sound fidelity.
Cultivating hearing loss prevention as a culture
The availability of effective hearing protection is no longer the issue; rather, it’s about cultivating a cultural shift within the music and entertainment industries. The goal is to normalize the use of hearing protection and move away from the outdated belief 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.
As awareness grows and protective strategies become standard, the incidence of tinnitus and hearing loss in the music industry should decline. We should never think of hearing loss as an “unavoidable part of the job”. Protecting their hearing health and taking the appropriate safety steps is crucial for every professional regardless of what their job is.
By adopting this new paradigm, musicians and industry professionals can protect their most valuable tool, their hearing, while continuing to excel in their craft.
Call us for a consultation if you’re in the music industry and have concerns about the health of your hearing.