Hearing Tests for Musicians: What You Need to Know

Unfortunately, due to the nature of their work, musicians are more susceptible to experience hearing loss. Around 50% of classical musicians and 30% of rock musicians are known to have some form of hearing loss. Safe hearing levels are around 60 decibels, and the typical symphony orchestra could be around 120 decibels. Audiologists say that being exposed to more than 80 decibels for more than five hours a week may damage hearing over time, sometimes causing permanent damage. This will look at what you can do as a musician if you suspect you have hearing loss.

Make an Appointment with Your Audiologist

The first thing you should always do if you suspect you have hearing loss is make an appointment with an audiologist. They will be able to perform a hearing test and determine what kind of hearing loss you have and how severe it is. If you are found to have hearing loss, your audiologist will explain what your options are. There are three main styles of hearing aids that your audiologist may recommend, like behind the ear (BTE), in the ear (ITE) and in the canal (ITC).

What Hearing Tests Will be Preformed

Audiologists use specific tests designed for musicians to check their hearing health. These tests include pure-tone audiometry, which measures how well a musician hears different pitches commonly found in music. They also use speech audiometry to see how well a musician understands speech, especially in noisy places like concerts. Tympanometry is used to check the middle ear’s condition, ensuring sounds travel well to the inner ear for musicians during performances.

Have Your Hearing Aids Adjusted

If you already have hearing aids, or you’re just getting used to them, you should also speak to your audiologist about the nature of your work. Hearing aids in this day and age are much more advanced and can be adjusted to help accommodate certain sounds and frequencies. It’s advisable to ask your audiologist to do this rather than attempting to do it yourself as they will be able to adjust them safely, preventing any further damage to your ears. An audiologist can listen to any concerns you may have about your hearing aids and adjust the settings and volume if it too high.

Wear Earplugs as Much as Possible

Earplugs are a fantastic way of protecting your ears from loud noises. Regular earplugs may cancel out sound altogether, which could make it difficult to play alongside other musicians. However, if you use attenuated earplugs, you can enjoy hearing the music while playing because they cancel out damaging frequencies. Your audiologist can recommend custom earplugs, that will fit the shape of your ear, allowing for a more comfortable fit.

When getting your hearing tested, make sure to ask any question you have about your hearing loss. If you have any concerns while being a musician, your audiologist will ease any concerns you have, while providing the right treatment for you. Remember, hearing tests are an essential first step, so be sure to visit your audiologist!