Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Among Musicians

Loud music is an essential part of most musicians’ lives. For this reason, more musicians suffer from hearing loss or tinnitus than you would find in other lines of work.

In practice and through performances, amplified sounds make hearing loss or tinnitus even more likely. Numerous famous musicians and movie stars suffer from either one or both hearing impairments. Before presenting these issues, readers should have a clear understanding of them.

Contents

• What Is Tinnitus?
• How Loud Music Can Damage Hearing Over Time
• Musicians With Tinnitus or Hearing Problems
• Tips to Prevent Hearing Loss and Tinnitus for Musicians
• Earplugs for Musicians

What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus may produce various sounds, such as a high-pitched hum or a dull roar, and is often referred to as “ringing in the ears”.

Symptoms of tinnitus include buzzing, hissing, roaring or humming. These sounds usually cannot be heard by other people.

Whatever the exact sound may be, the volume, strength and pitch of tinnitus may vary throughout the day. Usually, the noise is hardly detectable. Other times, however, it can be so loud that it can make the musician unable to concentrate.

Tinnitus is the perception of sounds that do not come from an outside source. It is a symptom rather than a disease and can have several possible causes, including hearing loss and exposure to loud noise.

How Loud Music Can Damage Hearing Over Time

Repeated or prolonged exposure to loud sound can increase the risk of permanent hearing damage. The risk depends on both the sound level and how long someone is exposed to it. In UK workplaces, 85 dB(A), measured as daily or weekly exposure, is the upper exposure action value at which employers must take additional steps to control noise.

Concert sound levels can exceed 100 dB, particularly close to loudspeakers. At these levels, the amount of time that can be spent listening safely becomes much shorter.

Musicians, venue staff and concertgoers should therefore reduce their exposure where possible, take regular breaks from loud sound and use properly fitted hearing protection.

Musicians With Tinnitus or Hearing Problems

Neil Young: During the recording of his 1991 album, Weld, Young experienced the onset of his tinnitus. Harvest Moon, his next album, was quieter and calmer.

Ozzy Osbourne: Over the years, Ozzy Osbourne played music at very high volumes and, as a result, suffered from tinnitus. Osbourne does not play his music quite so loudly anymore.

Barbra Streisand: At the age of nine, the singer and actress began to develop tinnitus. Over the years, she has taken steps to prevent further damage, but it has not totally healed.

Pete Townshend: The Who’s guitarist has been candid about his tinnitus issues, which he relates to years of playing loud, energising rock music live without ear protection.

Phil Collins: The musician and drummer has talked about his tinnitus and hearing loss, both of which he attributes to years of exposure to extremely loud live performances.

Sting: The well-known singer-musician has experienced tinnitus. He has stressed how crucial it is to safeguard one’s hearing in order to avoid such problems.

Eric Johnson: This Grammy-winning guitarist says that extended exposure to loud music is responsible for his tinnitus and hearing loss.

Roger Daltrey: The Who’s lead vocalist has also struggled with tinnitus as a result of years of loud music exposure and performing. He has been a supporter of hearing protection.

Bill Kelliher: Mastodon’s guitarist has admitted to having tinnitus, which he attributes to years spent performing in loud metal bands without wearing hearing protection.

Tips to Prevent Hearing Loss and Tinnitus for Musicians

Even musicians with no current hearing problems should consider undergoing a hearing test so a baseline can be established. Early signs of hearing loss may be revealed by a hearing test.

Noise-related hearing changes may affect higher frequencies first. Musicians should discuss their noise exposure with a qualified audiologist, who can advise on the most appropriate hearing assessment.

The following steps can be taken to mitigate the effects of frequent exposure to loud noise.

• When producing a mix in a studio, use equalisers and in-ear monitors. Using these tools, quiet frequencies can be enhanced instead of simply increasing the volume. These controls can also augment sounds that people with hearing loss may miss.
• Wear earplugs made for musicians to help protect your hearing.
• Use quiet background sounds, such as a fan or soft music, if they help make tinnitus less noticeable.
• Hearing aids may make tinnitus less noticeable for some people who also have hearing loss.
• Whenever possible, reduce the time spent in noisy environments and take regular listening breaks.

Musicians can reduce their risk by controlling sound levels, limiting exposure time, taking listening breaks and using properly fitted hearing protection.

Earplugs for Musicians

At Zoom Health, we have a selection of earplugs designed to help protect your hearing while playing or listening to music.

Etymotic Research ER20 Musicians Earplugs

These music earplugs are available in standard and large sizes. Speech remains clear rather than muffled, and the earplugs reduce sound by approximately 20 dB across frequencies.

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