Musicians rock. Their shows bring us so much enjoyment. The downside is that music is almost always loud, in fact, many individuals like it better that way. Since musicians expose themselves to loud music frequently, their hearing is at an increased risk of being harmed.
Whether your income depends on music or not, you’ll still want to be able to hear your favorite songs when you’re in your later years of life. The key to having a long successful career, for musicians, is protecting their ears. Hearing protection is also key to a lifetime of musical fulfillment for everyone.
Oftentimes it can be surprising how loud music can get
Most people would say that a jet engine is really loud.
Is music actually that loud? People might not be so quick to answer that question if you ask them if a violin or acoustic guitar is loud. Imagine their surprise when they discover the reality: that music is certainly loud! Even classical music can get to fairly loud volumes that can easily harm your hearing.
Sounds higher than 90 dB can be created by a violin, for instance. That’s around as loud as a leaf blower. To put that into context, the European Union regulations dictate that any work environment noisier than 85 dB requires the use of ear protection.
And your hearing can be seriously compromised over time if you’re working with music every day, particularly if you don’t use hearing protection.
How can you protect your hearing?
Okay, now you’re aware that musicians need to protect their hearing (especially if they want to continue rocking out for years to come). So what can musicians do to protect their ears and still take pleasure in the music they love so much?
Here are a couple of strategies:
- Track your volume: Knowledge is power, right? So being aware of volume levels of sounds around you will help you protect your hearing. Keeping track of the volume on amps and PA systems is one factor. But you can also keep track of day-to-day volume levels of external noises using a volume meter app that you can download on your cellphone. You will need to make a few changes if the meter consistently detects volumes above 85 dB.
- Take breaks: Much like any part of your body, your ears can become exhausted and may need a little break. So give yourself “hearing breaks” regularly. By doing this, noises won’t overwhelm and harm your ears. Duration is almost as important as volume when it comes to hearing health. Taking breaks can be the difference between just enough stimulation and too much!
hearing protection is important
Using ear protection is the number one most effective way to safeguard your hearing. Lots of musicians are concerned that ear protection will muffle the sound and impact its overall sound quality. That isn’t always the case, depending on which type of hearing protection you choose.
- Ear plugs made primarily for musicians: Disposable earplugs are something that’s most likely very well known to most people. They’re fairly good at stopping a lot of sound though they sometimes don’t fit very well. They’re not difficult to get, don’t cost much, and can be disposed of easily. For musicians, they aren’t an ideal solution. However, by spending just a little more money, you can buy high-quality earplugs made specifically for musicians. A specialized material and modern engineering are used to help these earplugs fit snuggly in the ear and reduce external noise by around 20% while preserving the audio fidelity. For musicians who need a moderate amount of protection on a budget, this option is perfect.
- Electronic earplugs: Electronic earplugs function in basically the same way as high-quality, non-electronic earplugs. Most of the sound will be blocked by the earplug itself. But the earplug itself will pipe in the sound you hear. This solution is perfect for those who work in particularly loud environments, and who are looking for more options when it comes to controlling volume.
- In-ear monitors: Most music is electronic nowadays, or at least amplified by electronics. A device, known as an in-ear-monitor, is put inside of your ear and sends signals in electronically. It’s like a special little speaker for your ear, and the majority of monitors can block out sound from the outside world (thanks to a rather tight fit and specialized design). This means you can hear exactly how you sound, at a volume you control. In-ear monitors are practical for those who work chiefly with electronically amplified instruments.
Protect your hearing, and protect your career
It’s never too late to take measures to safeguard your ears, but it’s definitely a good idea to begin sooner rather than later. With solutions available at nearly every price point, there are simple ways for everybody to safeguard their hearing and their future. Keep in mind, hearing protection for a musician is an investment in your career. It’s one way to make sure you’ll be making incredible music for many years (maybe even decades) to come!
Don’t really know where to start? Give us a call today, we can help!
