Five Tips for Musicians Who Need to Avoid Hearing Loss
Article by Justin Walton
While the notion of spending countless hours enjoying music might seem like something that can only be experienced as a hobby, plenty of people out there have turned it into a way of life. And for those who are making their living as musicians, there is nothing more precious then actually being able to safeguard one’s hearing. Though a lot of people from the old-school were of the idea that it made sense to rock and roll without worrying about health concerns, the fact is that serious sessions players and anyone who takes their role more seriously understands just how important a perfectly-functional set of ears is to success in a sonic realm.
For musicians who are spending tons of time playing and for those who just enjoy an occasional jam session, here are five crucial tips that will assist in the avoidance of unnecessary and untimely hearing loss.
#1 – Remember to actually put in ear plugs for everything, not just shows. Practices, sound checks, any time that there is going to be enough noise present to actually do damage, there should be ear protection in use. Too often, those who spend their entire Saturday afternoon shredding on electric guitar at a high volume only think to use protection while they are working on songs with a drummer and bass player. And that is quite simply not an acceptable way to actually manage to protect oneself and one’s hearing.
#2 – Take sizable breaks from mixing down, practicing, or anything else. This is important for those who are spending a lot of time in the studio, just as it is important for groups who are practicing long hours to get a show going right before heading out on tour or playing a big gig. Even with earplugs in, hearing can be hurt by not allowing ears a little bit of a breather. So just like how athletes take some time out to collect themselves and give their bodies a bit of a rest, anyone who is working on something sonic needs to take the same precautions for their ears.
#3 – Pay attention to the volume of everything, not just amplifiers and equipment. Because musicians spend so much time creating, they might tend to pay less attention to the volume levels when the devices are television set and stereos. But the fact is that if there is a constant barrage of loud noise to one’s eardrums, the chances of incurring damage sooner rather than later is a whole lot higher. So be sure that everything from favorite records at home to the radio in the car is also kept in check.
#4 – Never use earbud headphones. Anyone who is serious about preserving their range of hearing needs to realize that this is just a quick way to pipe unnecessary volume right into the ear canal, causing trouble that kicks in far sooner than with regular headphones. Don’t make this mistake.
#5 – Be diligent when seeing other acts, too. Too many artists out there will be responsible about their hearing when it comes time to hit the stage or studio, but will go out dancing and drinking and partying and not remember to put in a pair of earplugs. Remember that it’s just as important to protect one’s ears at someone else’s show, and don’t make that kind of mistake!
About the Author
For those who haven’t heeded the warnings about protecting their ears, Hearing Aids Reviews are an important reference point for the best kind of help. Check out hearingaidsreviews.com to figure out which product will work best.
