How Volume Is The Rise And Fall Of A Musician’s Career

Bono has had an illustrious career as U2’s frontman and lyricist. But his years of jamming for massive audiences has left him with tinnitus – a ringing or buzzing in the ears. Ironically, he took his stage name from a hearing aid shop in Dublin.

Music is a universal language, so you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t speak it. But whether you listen to U2, rock out to Metallica, or unwind with jazz, you put your hearing at risk when you crank the volume.

Musicians and Hearing Loss

When you listen to loud music for extended periods, you put your ears at risk for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The hair cells in your ears that are responsible for picking up sound signals sustain irreversible damage.

You can imagine the predicament of musicians. They don’t wear hearing protection because they don’t want to block out the cues they need to perform. But the instruments, speakers, and screaming crowds put their ears through the wringer.

Sounds over 85 decibels cause permanent hearing loss. For musicians that includes:

• Drum sets: 100 dB
• Amp guitars: 106 dB
• Speakers: up to 120 dB

Protect Yourself From Noise-Related Hearing Loss

You don’t have to be a musician to put your hearing at risk. We can now bring the acoustic power of a concert directly into our ears, thanks to earbuds.  Take a tip from the experts like Huey Lewis and Peter Townshend and invest in hearing aids or protection.

• Turn down that racket: Pay attention to the volume of your music while you’re in the car and while wearing earbuds. If you must shout to be understood, the music is probably too loud.
• Wear earplugs: This is especially important if you’re attending a concert. Musicians often wear specially designed earplugs that protect their ears and filter enough sound so they can hear.
• Try Bluetooth tech: Some hearing aids offer Bluetooth connectivity so you can plug into your music without raising the volume.
• Download an app: Monitor your surroundings by using free apps that measure acoustic volume.

Audiology & Hearing Aid Solutions is committed to protecting your hearing. Take our free online hearing test or call 888.473.8702 to schedule an appointment. Contact us online for service information.