Professional musicians face an almost fourfold higher risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) compared to other people. They are also more susceptible to encountering tinnitus, commonly known as ringing in the ears.
The British Medical Journal highlights that prolonged exposure to loud sounds can lead to hearing loss. Gradually, this exposure causes irreversible harm to the delicate sensory hair cells within the inner ear responsible for transmitting auditory information to the brain. It’s important to note that sudden bursts of loud noise, such as gunfire or fireworks, can also contribute to NIHL.
Mounting evidence indicates that recreational activities involving excessive noise and the growing usage of personal audio devices with headphones are contributing factors in what the World Health Organization deems a global public health crisis. This crisis suggests that around 1.1 billion young individuals are potentially at risk of developing NIHL.
NIHL is a permanent condition and stands as the primary cause of hearing impairment derived from continuous exposure to elevated noise levels. However, it is entirely preventable!
Tips to Maintain Your Hearing Health
1. Schedule an Annual Hearing Evaluation
This is crucial for anyone regularly exposed to loud music, even intermittently. Request a comprehensive test spanning from 125 to 20,000 hertz, as the ultra-high frequencies are often the first to indicate any loss. If you’ve encountered persistent ringing in your ears, it’s advisable to include a tinnitus evaluation as well. While yearly testing is suggested, it’s important to promptly consult a hearing care specialist if you encounter a sudden alteration in your hearing or experience discomfort.
2. Learn Your Range
When working on studio mixing, incorporate in-ear monitors and utilize the equalizer to compensate for any frequency ranges you might not be perceiving. Additionally, employ equalizer adjustments to enhance the sound, providing cues that could be overlooked due to potential hearing loss.
3. In Ear Monitors
In-ear monitors provide musicians with the direct delivery of the music mix into their ears. Collaborate closely with your audiologist to select in-ear monitors that align with your specific requirements, and make sure to master their proper usage to ensure optimal safeguarding of your hearing.
However, the process of integrating in-ear monitors effectively goes beyond mere acquisition. It’s essential to forge a collaborative partnership with your audiologist, leveraging their expertise to select monitors that align precisely with your unique needs. Audiologists can assess factors such as the frequency response that best compliments your hearing profile, the snugness of fit for optimum isolation, and the ergonomic design that guarantees both comfort and stability during performances.
4. Consider Custom-Made Earplugs
Musicians have a powerful tool at their disposal to significantly mitigate the risks associated with hearing loss and tinnitus. A consultation with a hearing specialist can lead to the recommendation of personalized musicians’ earplugs or in-ear monitors—solutions that offer a shield for your hearing without compromising your musical expression and immersion.
Consider the value of custom-made earplugs: Standard foam earplugs, while effective in reducing noise, often lead to an unintended muffling of both speech and music. This is especially noticeable in the high-frequency range, resulting in a distortion of the natural timbre of music and voices. In contrast, custom-fit earplugs exhibit a seamless reduction of sound across frequencies, preserving the organic quality of speech and music while simultaneously lowering decibel levels.
Schedule an appointment with us today!
Are you a musician and want to preserve your hearing health? Set up an appointment with one of our audiologists! We provide hearing evaluations and hearing aid fitting services to help you make more knowledgeable decisions in protecting your hearing.
