Hearing Conservation for Musicians

There are many practical, occupational, and social factors that put musicians at increased risk of sound-induced hearing injury. This also applies to others in the creative realm, such as audio engineers. Some culprits include the volume of acoustic drums, the poor acoustic nature of practice rooms, venues pushing louder volumes, and tube amps needing more current to achieve “that sound.” However, even with these challenges, it is possible to protect your hearing and avoid the pitfalls of hearing injury.

How loud and how long?

It is generally understood that skin cancer does not manifest after just an afternoon of sun exposure. Similarly, continuous unprotected exposure to loud sounds can lead to sound-induced hearing disorders. The only exception is extreme acoustic pressures, such as those generated by firearms. This means you have the power to protect your hearing. Here are two easy ways to accomplish this:

• Keep the volume down — continue reading for realistic examples.
• Minimize how long you are exposed to loud environments.

While these guidelines may seem vague, following them can significantly protect your ears. You can also download apps like the NIOSH SLM to better understand what is safe given your exposures. Use the app to check your time-weighted average and monitor average sound levels over 80 to 85 dB A-weighting. Another helpful tool is the iPhone Health app, which estimates your levels while listening and over time.

Additionally, many watches and products like the Soundbrenner Core 2 include basic decibel (dB) meters. You can use these dB measurements as a quick check against the levels mentioned above. If the environment exceeds 80 to 85 dB, follow the recommendations outlined in this article. While loud music can be as fulfilling as a sunny day on the beach, we need to be cautious.

Source, path, receiver

People often think of earplugs when it comes to hearing conservation. While these are a great tool, they are part of a more holistic approach known as the Source, Path, Receiver Method1. This method involves three key efforts:

• Keeping volumes down at the source.
• Attenuating the sound during its path.
• Reducing sound levels at the receiver.

Incorporating these guidelines is not difficult and may have a compounding effect. For example, better room acoustics can improve your audibility and performance as a musician, as well as enhance the sonics for recording purposes.

Hearing protection - this is the way

When it comes to earplugs, there are significant differences between styles. Musicians should seek hi-fidelity hearing protection devices designed with acoustic membranes and resonant channels to provide a relatively linear, or uniform, attenuation profile. This results in a more natural listening experience where higher frequencies remain audible, which is crucial for musicality. Disproportionately attenuating high frequencies can skew the balance of instruments within a performance. Think about how difficult it was to hear speech the last time you wore foam earplugs.

There are various styles of hi-fidelity musician’s earplugs, so it is important to find what works best for you. For example, universal fit devices like Minuendo Lossless Earplugs offer variable attenuation with a sliding lever. I recently conducted a thorough review of these devices, including measurements and sound samples. Custom earplugs are favored by many professional touring musicians due to their retention, reliability, and sound quality. Lastly, in-ear monitors can provide both a personalized headphone mix and hearing protection if used properly.

Final thoughts

Musicians, audio engineers, and avid concert-goers can feel relieved given the numerous options available for hearing protection. Hearing loss and other sound-related injuries, such as tinnitus, are not unavoidable occupational hazards. With a little effort, such as following the tips outlined in this article, your hearing does not have to suffer from overuse.

Here are some key tips and a quick recap:

• Download a sound level meter app like the NIOSH SLM and monitor your environments. Levels above 80 to 85 dB A-weighting can tax your auditory system and lead to hearing injury.
• Follow the Source, Path, Receiver Method and improve the environments you can control.
• Get a carrying case and connect your hearing protection devices to your keys so that you always have them with you. A keychain pill holder works perfectly.
• Schedule a visit with an audiologist to establish a baseline test, learn more about your hearing system, and monitor it over time. Hearing loss is a silent epidemic, but we can significantly change that tide with better awareness and hearing conservation.

Author bio

Dr. Steve Taddei is a licensed audiologist in Rockford, Illinois. He hosts the Hearing Tracker Podcast and is a professor at several institutions, teaching courses in hearing sciences and audio arts. Additionally, he remains an active member of the music and audio engineering community. Whether speaking to students or consumers of hearing technology, he aims to promote self-advocacy and increase hearing health awareness.

References:

1. Bolt, R.H., and K.U. Ingard. 1957. System Considerations in Noise Control Problems. Page 22-1 in Handbook of Noise Control, edited by C.M. Harris. New York: McGraw-Hill.