Hearing loss can be a stressful problem to deal with. But the first step to addressing the issue is to understand the risks and get a diagnosis. This can be a particular issue for musicians – if this is your profession then it’s well worth reading up on hearing loss. Read on to find out about how common hearing loss is for musicians.
The risks for musicians
Hearing loss is a hazard for musicians – they’re more likely to suffer from hearing problems compared to the rest of the population. This is largely because musicians are exposed to high levels of noise exposure over consistent periods of time. Indeed, professional musicians are almost four times as likely to develop noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) as the general public. Plus, they’re 57 per cent more likely to develop tinnitus as a result of their profession. By knowing these risks, you can take steps to improve your health though.
Tinnitus in musicians
Tinnitus affects plenty of musicians. Some famous examples include Chris Martin, Liam Gallagher, Barbara Streisand, Phil Collins and Bono. This can be particularly worrying for musicians: sound is directly related to their career, and if this turns into a negative relationship, it can be difficult to know how to continue as a musician. If you fear that you have tinnitus the best place to start is by being honest with yourself and seeking help. By having transparent conversations you can put yourself in a better position to improve your quality of life.
How to prevent hearing loss in musicians
If you’re a musician and have avoided tinnitus so far this shouldn’t lead to complacency. Instead, you should take preventative measures for your ear health now. Musician earplugs, for a start, are essential: these earplugs can allow you to still hear the music and perform optimally, but you’ll avoid exposure to such high decibels. Meanwhile, electronic earplugs and in-ear monitors are both useful tools to help musicians perform while protecting themselves. This can be ideal for musicians at all levels. Whether you’re a student in a school band, a nightclub worker, or a regular concert attendee it’s well worth taking measures to protect yourself. Just find yourself a comfortable form of ear protection and go from there.
If you’re a musician, then you could be at risk of hearing loss – both now and in the future. If you suspect that you might have an issue with your hearing, then you should consider booking a five-minute online hearing test. This can help you can work towards diagnosing the issue and you can begin your journey towards regaining your quality of life.