Hearing is a vital part of a professional musician’s livelihood and art, not simply a mere sense. However, many musicians still believe that hearing loss is just an unavoidable result of practicing their craft. This frame of mind, which regards hearing damage as an unavoidable consequence of the job, is both outdated and unhealthy. The good thing is, recent legal developments and growing awareness are driving significant changes, challenging this harmful attitude and emphasizing the importance of hearing protection.
Loud work environments and hearing safety
The music industry isn’t the only career that comes with noisy settings. Similar dangers can be found in sectors like construction and manufacturing. However, the music industry has been much slower and more resistant to making use of ear protection. There are several reasons for this:
- Hazard Awareness: In construction and manufacturing, the range of hazards, like heavy equipment and falling objects, warrants the use of safety gear including hard hats and ear protection. This practice is well-integrated into the work culture, making protective gear a standard expectation.
- Performance Concerns: Musicians have a tendency to shun ear protection devices because they’re worried that their sense of hearing will be dulled. In spite of contrary evidence, there is a widespread misconception that earplugs will muffle sound quality. This resistance is usually based on out-of-date information.
- Cultural Norms: People who make a living in the arts will typically accept work conditions that may be less than optimal because they’re just thankful to be doing what they love. Many people in the music industry feel as if raising concerns could put their careers at risk so they keep their potential worries about inadequate hearing protection to themselves.
It isn’t only the musicians who encounter this “just part of the job” mindset, it also includes roadies, sound engineers, and event staff, whose hearing is also at risk. This collective complacency has historically resulted in a substantial number of people experiencing hearing-related problems.
Mindsets are changing due to legal precedents
Industry mindsets with regard to hearing protection are changing due to several legal cases. This shift is highlighted by a groundbreaking legal case concerning the Royal Opera House in London. The brass section was creating hazardously loud conditions which caused major 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 declared that the music industry needs to follow workplace safety standards, 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.
Addressing acoustic shock and tinnitus
The prevalence of tinnitus and hearing loss in the music industry is alarmingly high. Chronic tinnitus, permanent hearing damage, and hyperacusis caused by exposure to extremely loud sound is known as acoustic shock. The risk is particularly acute for individuals frequently exposed to loud environments, including DJs, classical musicians, rock bands, and their support crews.
Fortunately, contemporary hearing protection technologies, including specialized earplugs and earmuffs, are designed to safeguard hearing without compromising sound quality.
Nurturing hearing loss prevention as a culture
The accessibility of effective hearing protection is no longer the problem; instead, it’s about cultivating a cultural shift within the music and entertainment industries. The primary aim is to move away from the outdated notion 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 protect people’s hearing by taking proactive measures.
As awareness increases and protective strategies become standard, the incidence of tinnitus and hearing loss in the music industry should decrease. We should never think of hearing loss as an “unavoidable part of the job”. Safeguarding their hearing health and taking the proper safety steps is crucial for every professional no matter what their job is.
With this paradigm shift, professionals in the music industry can keep practicing their craft while still protecting their most valuable tool, their hearing.
If you’re in the music industry and concerned about your hearing health, give us a call to schedule a hearing screening.