Hearing is an essential part of a professional musician’s livelihood and craft, not simply a mere sense. Remarkably, many musicians still operate under the belief that hearing loss is an inevitable feature of their profession. This is both an outdated and unhealthy mindset. Fortunately, recent legal developments and growing awareness are creating considerable changes, challenging this harmful attitude and emphasizing the importance of hearing protection.
Rethinking hearing safety in loud work conditions
The music industry isn’t the only career that comes with loud environments. Similar risks can be found in sectors like construction and manufacturing. However, these fields have typically been quicker to embrace protective measures compared to the music industry. Several factors contribute to this disparity:
- Hazard Awareness: In construction and manufacturing, the array of hazards, like heavy machinery and falling objects, warrants the use of safety gear including 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 depend on their hearing to perform, often resulting in skepticism about hearing protection devices. Despite contrary evidence, there is a prevailing misconception that earplugs will mute sound quality. This resistance is typically based on outdated information.
- Cultural Norms: The arts often cultivate an environment where professionals feel privileged just to have a job, prompting 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 worries about inadequate hearing protection to themselves.
It isn’t only the musicians who face this “just part of the job” mentality, it also includes road crews, 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.
Legal precedents and changing mindsets
Significant legal cases have begun to change 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 levels of noise from the brass section during a performance, suffered severe hearing damage and tinnitus because of a lack of sufficient protection. The court’s decision in favor of the viola player underscored that the music industry must follow workplace safety guidelines, 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 also signals a turning point, urging industry stakeholders to focus on 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. Acoustic shock, a condition brought about by exposure to exceedingly loud noises, can result in persistent tinnitus, hyperacusis, and irreversible hearing damage. The risk is especially acute for people frequently exposed to loud environments, such as DJs, classical musicians, rock bands, and their support crews.
Here’s the good news, musicians can now get specialty hearing protection that will protect their hearing while still allowing them to get accurate sound fidelity.
Cultivating a culture of hearing loss preservation
The availability of reliable hearing protection is no longer the problem; instead, it’s about cultivating a cultural shift within the music and entertainment industries. The goal is to normalize the use of hearing protection and shift away from the antiquated notion that hearing loss is an inescapable part of the profession. The Royal Opera House case has catalyzed this change, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to protect hearing.
The prevalence of hearing loss and tinnitus in the music industry should decline with the growth of awareness and proactive steps. We should never think of hearing loss as an “inevitable part of the job”. It is crucial 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 asset, their hearing, while continuing to excel in their craft.
Contact us for a consultation if you’re in the music industry and have concerns about the health of your hearing.
