Health and wellbeing for musicians
A network for Australian music students
Hearing loss
Facts About Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
As many as 50 percent of musicians have problems with hearing loss.
Risk of injury is based on a combination of sound intensity and duration.
Listening to music, live or recorded, in performance or rehearsal, can result in significant exposure to high sound levels.
Hearing loss is cumulative: all sources (24/7) of elevated sound levels contribute.
Permanent noise-induced hearing loss is irreversible.
Temporary noise-induced hearing loss is reversible with adequate rest and recovery.
Tips For Short-Term Prevention of Hearing Loss
Listen to recorded music at moderate loudness levels.
Reduce exposure time to sound levels above 85 decibels.
Reduce repeated or cumulative exposure.
Protect yourself from exposure to hazardous sound environments.
Use ear protection in noisy environments.
Rest the ears between exposures to loud sounds.
Tips For Long-Term Prevention of Hearing Loss
Get a baseline comprehensive audiological evaluation.
Follow up with annual checkups.
Know the symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss:
Temporary threshold shifts
Ear discomfort after exposure to loud sounds
Ringing and buzzing in the ears
Difficulty hearing in noisy environments
Source: University of North Texas website: Lessons from Music
As many as 50 percent of musicians have problems with hearing loss.
Risk of injury is based on a combination of sound intensity and duration.
Listening to music, live or recorded, in performance or rehearsal, can result in significant exposure to high sound levels.
Hearing loss is cumulative: all sources (24/7) of elevated sound levels contribute.
Permanent noise-induced hearing loss is irreversible.
Temporary noise-induced hearing loss is reversible with adequate rest and recovery.
Tips For Short-Term Prevention of Hearing Loss
Listen to recorded music at moderate loudness levels.
Reduce exposure time to sound levels above 85 decibels.
Reduce repeated or cumulative exposure.
Protect yourself from exposure to hazardous sound environments.
Use ear protection in noisy environments.
Rest the ears between exposures to loud sounds.
Tips For Long-Term Prevention of Hearing Loss
Get a baseline comprehensive audiological evaluation.
Follow up with annual checkups.
Know the symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss:
Temporary threshold shifts
Ear discomfort after exposure to loud sounds
Ringing and buzzing in the ears
Difficulty hearing in noisy environments
Source: University of North Texas website: Lessons from Music
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Catherine Grant on -
Here are a couple of resources relating to hearing loss in musicians:
1. A New York times article (2008) about hearing loss in professional orchestral musicians.
2. A 10-minute video of a lecture from University of North Texas on hearing loss in ensembles. An ensemble instructor tells students about noise-induced hearing loss. This kind of instruction is now being implemented for every ensemble at the University of North Texas.
Let me know what you think!
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Permalink Reply by Catherine Grant on
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Websites that may be of use; and some reports attached.
http://www.soundadvice.info/
http://www.dontlosethemusic.com/home/areyouatrisk/protectingyoursel...
http://www.annals.com/toc/auto_toc.php?month=November&year=2008
http://www.ata.org/index.php
http://www.deafnessresearch.org.uk/Tinnitus20research+1930.twl - Attachments:
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