Maintaining healthy hearing habits is the only way to prevent hearing loss and long term damage. One factor that is worth a mention is that hearing loss doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a long ongoing process. There are many symptoms that are indications that you might be having some condition that, if left unchecked, will lead to gradual hearing loss. The ones that professional audiologists at centers like Audiologie Centre Ouest warn against include the following.
- Dizziness
- Problem in balancing
- Ringing noise in the ears
In fact, more than 60% musicians suffer from one or more hearing conditions – tinnitus is the most common one. Which is why it’s essential to maintain a healthy hearing rhythm that consists of 3 following things.
- Prevention
- Evaluation
- Protection
The guide below is a compilation of what to expect under the above-mentioned 3 categories. Have a look!
#1. Prevention
Like they say, “Prevention is better than cure”. And it holds the most value for professional musicians.
It’s the high frequencies that are mostly responsible for hearing impairment. Therefore, audiologists at elite hearing centers like Audiologie suggest the use of the following products to prevent ear damage – mostly, tinnitus and hyperacusis.
- Medical grade silicone ear molds.
- In-ear monitors for live on-stage performances.
- Taking breaks between solos to give rest to the ear muscles.
- Using db check tools to find out the frequencies your ears are most frequently exposed to.
- Avoiding bars and other noisy places during or immediately before and after your scheduled performance.
#2. Evaluation
Even if you use preventive measures, if you’re a musician, it’s suggested that you undertake hearing tests for the following reasons.
- To ensure that your hearing acuity hasn’t changed.
- To prevent tinnitus.
- To prevent hearing loss.
The best tests to find out whether or not you have any or all of the above-listed conditions include the following.
- Regular audiogram
- Audiogram at high frequencies
- Acoustic auto-emissions
#3. Protection
Last in the circuit of hearing hygiene for musicians is, protection. It can be done by using the following products.
- ER-20 High-Fidelity Earplugs.
- 3D – AARO external microphone.
- Custom sleeves for Shure monitors.
- 2MAX ear mold.
- 3MAX ™ ear mold.
- Layla instrument.
- JH 3X PRO for rich bass.
On a closing note, last in our list – given below – is a brief mention about the rehabilitation practices that can be used to reverse and limit ear damage.
- Enrolling in a 5 sessions 15 minute positional maneuvering program at Audiologie Centre Ouest.
- Enrolling for a 60 minute exercise program that’s supposed to be followed at home for 4 weeks.
