Should Musicians Use Ear Protection?

Close up of drummer's hands playing a drum kit. Drums are very loud, the player should be wearing hearing protection.

Musicians rock. They bring so much joy to our lives with their performances. The drawback is that music is almost always loud, in fact, many people prefer it that way. The musicians themselves are at an increased danger of hearing damage since they are exposed to loud music just about every day.

Whether your livelihood depends on music or not, you’ll still want to be able to hear your favorite songs when you’re pushing 60, 70, or 80. The key to having an extended successful career, for musicians, is protecting their ears. Ear protection is also key to a lifetime of musical fulfillment for everybody.

Music is surprisingly loud

Most people would say that a jet engine is really loud.

Is music actually that loud? If you ask someone whether an acoustic guitar or a lone violin is loud, they might not reply right away. Usually, when they hear the answer, they’re pretty surprised: That can also be loud music! Even classical music can get to relatively loud volumes that can easily harm your hearing.

A violin, for instance, can create sounds well over 90 dB. A leaf blower is around this noisy. In Europe, for example, they have laws that require ear protection for anyone who works in a setting where there is noise louder than 85 dB.

And if you’re working with music on a daily basis, consistent exposure to that kind of volume, particularly without ear protection, can seriously harm your hearing over time.

Can you protect your ears from noise damage?

Okay, musicians who want to preserve their hearing for years to come need to protect their hearing. So how can musicians keep enjoying their music while also safeguarding their hearing?

Well, here are a couple of easy things musicians can do:

  • Take breaks: Like any part of your body, your ears can become exhausted and may need a little break. So take regular breaks from the noise. In this way, noises won’t overwhelm and damage your ears. Duration is almost as important as volume when it comes to hearing health. Taking breaks can be the difference between just the right amount of stimulation and too much!
  • Track your volume: Everyone remembers the old saying “knowledge is power”. 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 purchase a decibel meter app for your cellphone to make it convenient to monitor the real-world volume levels your ears are encountering from day-to-day. If the meter detects volumes above 85dB consistently, you’ll need to do something about this.

Use ear protection

Needless to say, the single most effective thing you can do to protect your ears is easy: using ear protection of some kind. Lots of musicians are worried that hearing protection will mute the sound and impact its overall sound quality. That isn’t always true, depending on which kind of hearing protection you use.

  • Ear plugs made mainly for musicians: Disposable earplugs are something that’s likely very well known to most individuals. They don’t always fit well, but they do reliably stop a lot of sound. They aren’t difficult to get, don’t cost much, and can be disposed of easily. And they aren’t ideal for musicians. However, by paying a little more, you can purchase high-quality earplugs made specifically for musicians. A specialized material and modern engineering are utilized to help these earplugs fit comfortably in the ear and decrease external noise by around 20% while preserving the audio fidelity. This solution is perfect for musicians who need a light to moderate amount of protection (and who don’t have a ton of money to invest in earplugs, or are likely to lose them).
  • Electronic earplugs: The same general functionality found in non-electronic earplugs can also be found in electronic earplugs. The majority of the sound will be blocked by the earplug itself. What you hear will instead be routed in by the earplug itself. This option 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: Electronics are a significant part of modern music. An in-ear monitor takes those electronic signals and conveys them directly to a device placed in your ear (called an in-ear monitor). Most monitors are little speakers that fit snugly and block out the majority of sound while playing sounds you want to hear at less harmful volumes. This means you can hear exactly how you sound, at a volume you control. For musicians who electronically amplify their instruments these in-ear-monitors are the ideal answer.

Protect your ears, and protect your career

It’s never too late to take measures to safeguard your hearing, but it’s definitely a good plan to start sooner rather than later. Everybody can safeguard their hearing and future with ear protection options at all price points. Don’t forget that you’re investing in your career by using hearing protection for musicians. By doing so, you will be able to enjoy creating music for as long as you want to.

Don’t quite know where to begin? Call us today, we can help!

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.