Hearing Loss among Musicians

Who would value hearing more than a person who earns his or her living creating music? Even if music is only a passion, and not a source of income, losing the ability to hear it can be devastating. Sadly, people who play instruments or attend concerts frequently may be at an increased risk for hearing loss. A 1999 study suggested that up to 30% of pop artists and 52% of classical musicians may develop some degree of noise-induced hearing loss.

On the plus side, suffering from hearing impairment does not have to severely interrupt your life. While hearing aids will not restore hearing to its former level, they can help people continue to produce and enjoy they music they love. To learn more, call a hearing aid specialist from HearingPlanet at 1-800-432-7669.

Hearing Health Dangers and Musicians

Exposure to high decibel (loud) noises for extended periods of time can cause damage to the hair cells of the cochlea, which play a very important role in processing sound. As this damage becomes more extensive over time, people may begin experiencing symptoms like:

• An inability to hear high frequency (high pitched) noises
• Tinnitus, or a ringing in the ears
• Decreased ability to tell the difference between different pitches
• Difficulty understanding speech
• Uncomfortable sensitivity to certain pitches

Unfortunately, damage to the ear’s hair cells is permanent. People with this condition may need to cope with the problem by using speech reading, hearing aids, and other technology.

Protecting Your Ears

Every musician and music fan needs to understand the risk to their ears. A large orchestra can reach 112 decibels or more, while a rock concert can reach 120 – 130 decibels. In contrast, factory machinery is usually around 100 decibels.

If you enjoy performing or hearing live music, please take steps to protect your ears. Wear earplugs to any loud event (specially developed earplugs are available for musicians). Of course, you should also be careful to keep headphones, stereos, and other entertainment at a reasonable volume.

Contact a Hearing Aid Consultant

If you have been diagnosed with noise-induced hearing loss, assistive technology can help you manage this change in your life. To discuss your options with an experienced hearing aid specialist, contact HearingPlanet at 1-800-432-7669.