We are constantly exposed to sound in our fast-paced, modern environment. Some are welcomed, some not so much. There is noise all around us, from the traffic to the music playing on our phones to the many sounds coming from almost every modern convenience, including radios, televisions, and home appliances. Most of the time, these sounds are at safe levels and don't permanently harm our hearing. It's crucial to realize that this is not always the case and that noises can be damaging if played excessively, even for a short period. Noise-induced hearing loss results from these sounds harming the inner ear's delicate components (NIHL).
How could you possibly be harming your hearing?
While attending a concert might be a lot of fun, it can also harm your hearing. A typical show has a decibel level between 90dB and 120 dB. For comparison, a quiet room will have a decibel level of roughly 40, and heavy traffic will be at about 85. Every three decibels double the power. The maximum daily exposure level at 88dB is 4 hours. Therefore, 91dB is 2 hours, 94dB is 1 hour, and so forth. The suggested exposure limit is less than 30 seconds if the typical concert noise level is 105dB! Not that you should never attend a concert or perform there. It implies that you should constantly be equipped with protection, such as earplugs or in-ear monitors specially made for the purpose.
What dangers exist?
Your hearing may be impacted by music-related hearing loss in some different ways. It's more complicated than just consistently hearing a reduced volume. It makes composing and performing music challenging since it might change and distort the sounds you hear.
Generalized hearing loss
It often results in a partial loss of hearing. It typically has an impact on higher-frequency sounds initially for musicians.
Sound amplification
An overall lack of clarity in your hearing, with speech and other sounds (especially bass) blending.
Tinnitus
A constant and probably permanent ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound. Several therapies are available, but there is no known treatment for tinnitus.
For musicians, hearing is a requirement. Because of this, it's crucial to take action quickly to avoid any potential hearing loss. Fortunately, there are numerous strategies to guarantee that the likelihood of further damage is minimized.
Here are five suggestions for artists to keep their hearing healthy so they can continuously appreciate music.
- Put on a good pair of earplugs.
One of the most obvious ways to safeguard your ears is by using earplugs. The issue is that most earplugs distort the noises you hear, making it difficult to appreciate the music. To be more precise, prolonged exposure to sounds louder than 85dB can harm hearing.
- Reduce exposure.
The second piece of advice is to change a few aspects of your behavior to reduce exposure to loud noises. If you frequently use headphones, reduce the level to no more than 60%. Move away from the speakers, the concert's most audible sound source, and pick a location with moderate sound levels. A rock performance can emit an exceptional 150dB of sound at its loudest! When performing, place yourself behind the sound source rather than having your amp pointed directly at you.
- Observe breaks
Take a 30-minute break every two hours rather than listening to music nonstop. If you're at a loud concert, go outside occasionally to give your hearing a break. This small step can have a significant impact.
- Reduce stress to safeguard your hearing
Most people are aware that stress and anxiety jeopardize your overall health. Your body goes into fight-or-flight mode when under pressure, which strains your nerves and blood flow. Healthy blood flow is necessary for the tiny sensory hairs of the inner ear to convert noise into electrical impulses that reach our brains. In the end, circulation problems brought on by stress can further exacerbate tinnitus symptoms. There are several techniques to manage stress: exercise, social support, and meditation. Be careful to give yourself enough recovery time in between practices and performances.
- Keep an eye on your noise exposure
85 dB of continuous noise exposure, the same as playing the violin or a busy street, is already considered dangerous. A rock concert's or an ambulance siren's peak decibel level of 115 to 140 dB is considered to be painfully loud for the ears.
How to avoid losing your hearing
You must take proactive measures if you wish to prevent hearing loss. Getting a hearing test and learning your baseline is an excellent place to start because it effectively provides a starting point you can compare to in the future. A thorough examination of your middle and inner ear in a clinic is part of a hearing evaluation. These tests will allow audiologists and hearing care professionals to ascertain the most effective strategy for preventing hearing loss in your particular situation.
