Musician’s Guide to Hearing Loss Prevention

As a musician, you are regularly exposed to loud sounds, which can cause hearing loss over time. Fortunately, with preparation and monitoring, you can keep your hearing healthy while still enjoying your time performing. From earplugs to monitors, there are a wide variety of protection options available for musicians!

Monitor Your Sound Levels

Exposure to high noise levels for extended periods can lead to permanent hearing loss. You can monitor sound levels using a decibel meter. Try maintaining sound levels below 80 decibels (dB); any higher than this can will require the use of protective equipment.

Higher noise levels can overwork the hair cells in the ear that interpret sound. This can cause them to damage and then die, which leads to hearing loss because the ear will then lack the hair cells needed to interpret sound. Over time, hearing loss will become more severe if you are constantly exposed to loud noises.

Stand Away from Speakers

The closer you stand to speakers, the more vibrations the hair cells in the ear are exposed to, and the harder they have to work. Stand as far away as possible from speakers to prevent hearing loss. If you are wearing in-ear monitors, ensure the volume is turned down to safe levels to avoid the risk of hearing loss.

Wear Hearing Protection

There are specialized hearing protection options for musicians, which allows them to hear natural sounds while protecting the ear. Wherever possible, musicians should wear hearing protection to prevent the risk of hearing loss. You shouldn’t wait to invest in this equipment after you’ve exhibited symptoms of hearing loss.

Examples of hearing protections for musicians include:

• Earplugs: High-fidelity earplugs are designed to reduce sound levels evenly across frequencies, preserving the clarity of music while lowering overall volume. Musicians’ earplugs are available with different filters to suit various genres and performance settings.
• In-ear monitors (IEMs): These devices not only serve as a personal monitoring system but can also block external noise, reducing the need for high on-stage volume levels. Custom-molded IEMs provide a snug fit for optimal sound isolation.
• Electronic hearing protection: These devices use technology to actively monitor and adjust sound levels in real-time. They provide protection by instantly reducing loud noises while allowing softer sounds to be heard clearly.

Finding the Right Protection

If you are a musician concerned about hearing loss, visit an audiologist for a hearing test. Several hearing tests can be used to monitor whether you have hearing loss and what level of hearing loss you have. If you are experiencing hearing loss, your audiologist can advise on suitable forms of hearing protection to protect your quality of hearing. Remember, these protection options are specifically designed for musicians, ensuring you can hear the music while preserving your hearing.