Top 5 tips: Prevent hearing loss for musicians

Are you a musician? Then, you really need to take the right measures to protect yourself against hearing damage. Hearing damage is one of the most common occupational injuries for musicians.

Research by Dr. Marshall Chasin found that 52% of classical musicians and 30% of rock musicians experience some degree of permanent hearing loss. This number could become less of a statistic and more of a reality if musicians don’t take care of their ears.

In this article, we’ll discuss the top 5 tips we’ve gathered to prevent hearing loss for musicians.

1. Watch your sound levels

It can be hard to tell when something gets too loud unless your ears start ringing or you feel a physical sting. This is where advanced technology has come to our rescue.

Make good use of dB meters to assess your surrounding volume levels. An app like NIOSH SLM can help musicians make informed decisions about their noise environment and improve hearing health. If you own a Soundbrenner Core 2 or are looking for an all-in-one device for music practice, take advantage of the dB meter function. You’ll be able to quickly check your sound levels and be notified when it gets too loud.

2. Minimize your exposure to loud sounds

This goes hand in hand with observing your sound levels. Just as extended exposure to harsh sunlight can damage your skin, the same is true for loud sounds and your ears.

This rule can be vague and hard to implement. You can’t simply stop playing your instrument every time your app alerts you. Instead, take breaks to allow your ears to rest after prolonged exposure to loud sounds. This will help you avoid ear strain and temporary hearing loss.

3. Wear hearing protection

Using the analogy of harsh sunlight and skin damage, there are many ways to protect ourselves from overexposure. With sunlight, we can use umbrellas, caps, and sunscreen. For sound, the best way to protect our ears is with earplugs. There are many options available based on your preferences, budget, and ear health.

Regular foam earplugs are a good starting point. They are cost-effective and block out all sound. However, they may not be ideal if you want to hear yourself while playing.

Custom molded earplugs are a high-end option that blocks out sound while allowing you to hear the sounds you want. However, they can be expensive to make, especially if you want the highest quality.

Our top choice of earplugs is adjustable earplugs. The Minuendo earplugs offer adjustable attenuation from 7dB to 25dB, allowing you to switch depending on your situation. For example, you may want your right earplug set on a higher level to block out the drummer on your right, while your left earplug can be set on a lower level to hear the keyboardist on your left.

Check out our article on the best earplugs for musicians for more recommendations.

4. Remain aware (and spread awareness too)

One of the main reasons many musicians experience hearing damage is that they aren’t fully aware of how intensely loud sounds can affect them. Many musicians also prefer not to wear earplugs, believing it may interfere with the tone and emotion of their playing. While this can be true to an extent, hearing protection like adjustable earplugs and monitoring sound levels are simple steps to prevent permanent hearing loss.

5. Visit an audiologist

If this is an accessible option for you, we highly recommend visiting an audiologist. Consulting with a medical professional will help you figure out the best ways to prevent hearing loss. Any advice you receive from an audiologist could also change your perspective on hearing protection.