PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS
Are your ears at risk for hearing loss?
Yes!
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"Among punk rock professional musicians, hearing loss was reported at 3000Hz in 352 (64.3%), 4000Hz in 370 (68.2%), and 6000Hz in 493 (90.1%) musicians.
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Among classically trained professional musicians, hearing loss affected 3000Hz in 470 (39.3%), 4000Hz in 712 (59.6%), 6000Hz in 964 (80.7%) and 8000Hz in 454 professional musicians (38%)" (Di Stadio et al., 2018).
In other words, regardless of your musical background, hearing loss at specific high pitches is common. By utilizing hearing protection, you can help reduce the likelihood of early onset music-induced hearing loss.
TINNITUS
Are you at risk?
Yes!
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Out of 2,327 professional musicians, tinnitus was reported in 612 (26.3%) of them (Di Stadio et al., 2018).
This is nearly a 1 in 4 chance of you or your bandmates experiencing tinnitus.
Do what you can now to help reduce the likelihood of developing ringing in your ears. Check out our hearing devices page to learn more about what you can do to preserve the hearing that you still have today.
WHAT INSTRUMENT IS THE LOUDEST?
It depends!
When you are sitting in band practice, look at the instruments that are around you and then look at the chart below. Who is the loudest and closest to you?
Adapted from:
Chasin, M. (2006). Sound levels for musical instruments. Hear Review, 13 (3), p.34-41.
CONSIDER THIS...
How much volume can your ears handle before damage occurs?
This table shows the volumes of sound (dBA) and the period of time that you can listen to that volume of sound before damage occurs to your ears.
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For our purposes, look at the table on the right.
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Here is an example:
If you are playing in band and the music you are reading says fortissimo, you are likely playing at a very high volume. If that volume were to reach 135dBA, your ears can only be exposed to that volume for 56 seconds before damage is likely to occur.
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Hearing protection helps your ears handle loud volumes for longer periods of time.
Citations
Chasin, M. (2006). Sound levels for musical instruments. Hear Review, 13 (3), p.34-41.
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Di Stadio, A., Dipietro, L., Ricci, G., Volpe, A.D., Minni, A., Greco, A., ... Ralli, Massimo (2018). Hearing loss, tinnitus, hyperacusis and diplacusis in professional musicians: a systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15. doi:10.3390/ijerph15102120