For professional musicians, hearing isn’t simply a sense, it’s a vital part of their craft and livelihood. Surprisingly, many musicians still operate under the notion that hearing loss is an inescapable element of their profession. This is both an outdated and unhealthy mindset. Fortunately, recent legal developments and growing awareness are creating significant changes, challenging this detrimental attitude and emphasizing the importance of hearing protection.
Rethinking hearing safety in noisy work environments
The music industry isn’t the only career that comes with loud settings. Similar dangers can be found in sectors like construction and manufacturing. However, these fields have generally been quicker to adopt protective measures compared to the music industry. There are a number of reasons for this:
- Hazard Awareness: In construction and manufacturing, the range of hazards, like heavy machinery and falling objects, necessitates the use of safety gear like hard hats and ear protection. Protective equipment is a standard expectation that is well-incorporated 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 common misconception that earplugs or earmuffs may interfere with sound quality or performance, in spite of evidence to the contrary. Out-of-date information is usually at the base of this misconception.
- Cultural Norms: The arts often cultivate an environment where professionals feel fortunate just to have a job, prompting them to accept suboptimal conditions without protest. Many people in the music industry feel as if raising concerns could put their careers at risk so they keep their potential concerns about inadequate hearing protection to themselves.
It isn’t only the musicians who face this “just part of the job” mentality, it also includes roadies, sound engineers, and event staff, whose hearing is also at risk. 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
Important legal cases have started to shift industry attitudes toward hearing protection. This shift is underlined by a groundbreaking legal case concerning the Royal Opera House in London. A viola player, exposed to dangerously high levels of noise 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 has to follow workplace safety standards, and that includes hearing protection.
This ruling serves as a crucial reminder that no industry, including the music industry, is exempt from the need for effective hearing protection. It’s also pushing industry leaders to make the health and safety of their contractors and employees a focal point.
How to address tinnitus and acoustic shock
It’s alarming how many musicians suffer from some level of hearing loss and tinnitus. Acoustic shock, a condition brought about by exposure to extremely loud noises, can result in persistent tinnitus, hyperacusis, and irreversible hearing damage. For DJs, musicians, and their crews who are regularly exposed to loud sound this is a particularly acute risk.
Here’s the good news, musicians can now get specialized 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 main aim is to move away from the antiquated idea that hearing loss is just an unavoidable part of being in the music industry and to normalize the use of protection. 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 growth of awareness and proactive steps. Hearing loss should never be regarded as “part of the job”. It is essential for all professionals, regardless of their discipline, to prioritize their hearing health and advocate for appropriate protections.
By embracing this new paradigm, musicians and industry professionals can protect their most valuable tool, their hearing, while continuing to excel in their craft.
If you’re in the music industry and worried about your hearing health, give us a call to schedule a hearing screening.