Artist Hearing Health: Protecting Your Ears When Everything Goes to 11 – Spotify for Artists – Spotify

Musicians facing volume-induced hearing loss aren’t just a rock ‘n’ roll fable from back in the day. In recent years, Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter, will.i.am, and Coldplay’s Chris Martin are among the many artists that have discussed their struggles with tinnitus and other hearing issues.

Greg Anderson, whose band Sun0)) is known for extremely loud shows, told Spotify for Artists his hearing is, “not the best. We use very professional hearing protection. Molded earplugs and…….

Greg Anderson, whose band Sun0)) is known for extremely loud shows, told Spotify for Artists his hearing is, “not the best. We use very professional hearing protection. Molded earplugs and 25 db filters and things like that. It’s kind of one of the consequences of doing this.”

So what can artists dancing on the edge of fidelity do to preserve hearing for years to come? New York-based Otolaryngologist Dr. Lloyd Loft, who has treated an impressive number of Grammy-winning acts in his decades of treating singers and musicians, shares some key tips. Hint: earplugs are just the beginning.

Get Tested

“Anyone who is serious about a career in the music industry [should] get a baseline hearing test” as early as possible, says Loft. “Get one so you know as you embark on your journey what your hearing level is, because if it changes over time it can be monitored.”

Mind Your dBs Everywhere

According to the Hearing Health Foundation, professional musicians are nearly four times more prone to developing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) than others, and they are nearly 60% percent more susceptible to tinnitus. Additionally, hearing loss can affect a musician’s ability to identify pitch, not just volume or clarity. Plus, the CDC explains that loud sounds like music have a cumulative effect on hearing.

“OSHA, who handles all of the occupational safety standards, has a scale for how long you’re allowed to be exposed to certain intensities of sound in a workplace environment,” Loft explains. “Here’s an important thing to realize: You can maintain exposure to a low or moderately loud sound for a longer period of time and do the same amount of damage that you would with an intensely loud sound for a moderately short period of time.”

Everyone knows concerts are loud — the World Health Organization just lowered the “safe” threshold for live shows to just 100 decibels — but don’t forget practice and headphone volume too. Based on a study by the CDC, the maximum volume for your average listening device clocks in around 105 to 110 decibels, which will cause damage to your ear in five minutes when played through headphones.