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Everything You Need to Know About Music Audiology

Longmont, Colorado

What is music-induced hearing loss?

While you may think hearing loss refers to when someone is deaf, there is a lot more complexity to it than that.

Hearing loss happens when any part of the ear or the auditory (hearing) system isn’t working the way it was designed to do so. And while complete deafness is what we hear about the most, there are in fact various degrees of hearing loss, ranging from mild and moderate, to severe and profound.

Hearing loss can be something you’re born with, you can have hearing loss in one or both ears, and you can experience it before or after you’ve learned to speak. It can develop slowly over time, hit you suddenly, and it can even fluctuate between getting better or worse and back again as time passes.

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is when structures in the ear become damaged, impacting one’s ability to hear. Most of the time, sounds we hear every day don’t have a negative impact on us, but repeated exposure to sound, say heavy machinery, can lead to NIHL, which can be prevented if addressed proactively and in a timely manner.

Music-induced hearing loss (MIHL) is similar to NIHL in how it presents. It can happen either temporarily or permanently and happens because of overexposure to music, also known as sound exposure. It too can be addressed and protected against proactively.

What is sound exposure?

Sound exposure is similar to sun exposure in that too much of it can be harmful.

Sound exposure refers to the amount of sound energy a person’s auditory system can take over a specific amount of time. In other words, how loud for how long. It helps us understand the possible risks associated with listening to loud music or other loud sounds.

One way to develop sound-induced hearing damage (injury) or hearing loss is by being exposed to high levels of sound for long periods of time. This can happen by attending concerts often, listening to headphones at a high volume, or even working in noisy environments. Because the auditory system is sensitive to sound, repeated exposure to loud sound can damage the tiny hair cells in the inner ear, the ones responsible for transmitting sound signals to the brain.

Sound exposure is usually measured in decibels (dB) over a specific amount of time. And while Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has an occupational safety guideline regarding sound exposure, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), makes a different recommendation. It’s important to note that though OSHA creates and enforces regulations, NIOSH is focused on advancing the scientific field of occupational safety. That being said, NIOSH is slightly more protective as OSHA protects 75% of the population while NIOSH protects 92%.

OSHA allows for 8 hours of exposure to 90 dBA but only 2 hours of exposure to 100 dBA sound levels. NIOSH recommends limiting the 8-hour exposure to less than 85 dBA and 100 dBA to less than 15 minutes of exposure per day. To be clear, OSHA requires the implementation of a hearing conservation program when the Time Weighted Average (TWA – calculated as average levels of noise and the time spent) is at or above 85 dBA. However, hearing protectors are required when 90 dBA is the level for 8 hours.

How much sound exposure does the music industry deal with?

The music industry is varied and unique, which means sound exposure will be very different depending on the setting or activity. Musicians, concertgoers, music venue staff, and music production professionals are all exposed to different levels of sound. Here’s a breakdown of what sound exposure looks like, depending on who you might be.

Musicians: Musicians, especially those performing in live bands or orchestras, can be exposed to high sound levels during rehearsals, concerts, and studio recordings. For example, rock or concert musicians on stage or in an orchestra pit may experience sound levels exceeding 100 dB.
Concertgoers: Audience members at concerts or music festivals can also be exposed to sound levels that can reach well above 100 dB, depending on the size of the venue and the amplification system used.
Music Venue Staff: Staff working at venues, including sound engineers, stage crew, and bartenders, are more than likely exposed to loud music during performances and events. Sound engineers, in particular, spend a lot of time near loudspeakers and amplifiers, which can lead to significant sound exposure.
Music Production Professionals: Recording engineers and producers may encounter high sound levels in recording studios, especially during tracking sessions with amplified instruments or drums.

It is well known that ongoing exposure to loud sounds, especially at levels 85dB and above, can cause hearing damage over time. If you are in the music industry or are an avid concert-goer, it means your hearing is one of your most-prized senses. That is why we recommend investing in hearing protection devices, like musician’s earplugs or noise-canceling headphones. Being aware of safe sound exposure strategies and taking steps to reduce noise levels in music venues can help protect the hearing health of everyone involved in the music industry.

Here are a few helpful steps you can take to make sure you’re doing all you can to protect your hearing:

Have a baseline annual hearing test performed.
Access education annually on new research about sound exposure and new methodologies for checking sound levels.
Be adequately fit with earplugs and ensure you have the most up-to-date education on different devices, like In-Ear Monitors (IEMs).

What is music audiology?

Music audiology is a special field of study in the audiology world that focuses on assessing and managing any hearing-related issues specific to musicians and people exposed to music-related sound. Music audiology professionals, also known as music audiologists, have undergone additional training and have expertise in understanding how music and sound can impact hearing health and performance.

Musicians are prone to hearing loss because of their constant exposure to loud noises. Working with an audiologist trained in music audiology can make a big difference in maintaining one’s hearing health and performance.

Music audiologists perform a variety of tasks, including:

Hearing Conservation: Music audiologists will work with musicians to help them prevent hearing damage or hearing loss. They provide musicians with education on safe sound exposure levels, how to use hearing protection devices properly, and teach them different strategies to reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing loss.
Musicians' Hearing Evaluation: Music audiologists will perform a variety of tests on musicians to learn more about each individual’s hearing sensitivity, frequency resolution, and other auditory abilities. These assessments can help music audiologists uncover any hearing issues that may impact a musician's performance or enjoyment of music.
Hearing Enhancement: Musicians who have hearing impairments can work with music audiologists to improve their hearing with assistive listening devices or hearing aids specifically designed for music listening.
Tinnitus Management: Musicians, especially those who have been exposed to loud sounds for a long time, often have tinnitus. Tinnitus, or ringing in the years, can be very distracting and challenging. Music audiologists can help musicians with tinnitus management strategies to help them cope and to reduce its impact on their daily lives.
Musician-Specific Communication: Musicians will often have different communication needs depending on the music-related setting they are in, a concert versus a studio, for example. Music audiologists have insight into these needs and have the understanding and know-how to tailor counseling and recommendations for each individual based on their various settings so they can communicate with their team effectively without risking their hearing health.
Musician-Specific Communication: Musicians will often have different communication needs depending on the music-related setting they are in, a concert versus a studio, for example. Music audiologists have insight into these needs and have the understanding and know-how to tailor counseling and recommendations for each individual based on their various settings so they can communicate with their team effectively without risking their hearing health.

What is the purpose of music audiology?

Music audiologists have one main goal, to educate people, particularly musicians and music enthusiasts, about how important it is to take care of hearing and watch out for hearing exposure. They can help with ear protection details, advise musicians to take frequent breaks from loud sound environments and implement different preventative measures to help those in the music industry maintain healthy hearing while enjoying music.

Music audiologists are trying to prevent:

Tinnitus is when you hear ringing or buzzing sounds in your ears, even when there is no actual sound around you.
Hyperacusis is when you are very sensitive to normal everyday sounds. It's like the volume of sounds is turned up too high for you, and noises that don't bother other people can feel painful or uncomfortable to you.
Dysacusis is when your ability to hear sounds is distorted. It's like hearing things, but they don't sound clear or normal. Sounds may be muffled or jumbled, making it hard to understand what people are saying.
Diplacusis is when the same sound is heard differently in each ear. It's like listening to a song, but the notes or pitch sound different in each ear, which can be confusing and unsettling.

Why is music audiology important?

Music audiology is critical in informing about and promoting the importance of hearing health and hearing preservation for those involved in music-related activities. Aside from helping musicians with hearing conservation, hearing health evaluations, tinnitus management, hearing enhancements, and music communication, they also help with:

Performance Optimization: Musicians rely on good hearing to maintain pitch, rhythm, and overall musicality. Music audiology helps ensure musicians are doing all they can to hear the best while providing the most protection, so they can produce and interpret music effectively.
Career Longevity: Those in the music industry rely on their hearing to do their job, which is why securing hearing health is critical for career longevity. With proactive hearing care with a music audiologist, musicians can continue performing and creating music for years to come.
Public Awareness: The importance of taking care of your hearing health isn’t specific only to musicians, but also to music educators and the general public. Music audiologists help spread awareness far and wide so we can all take care of our hearing.

In-Ear Monitors (IEMs) 101

While you may think IEMs are safety devices, they are not. Though they may provide the wearer with better isolation along with the ability to turn the monitor mix down, they don’t do so automatically. The wearer is in charge of turning the monitor down to a safe level. But they are still a valuable tool, provided they are used properly!

This is why IEMs need to be worn in both ears at all times, and isolating models are best. Having one side halfway out is risky because you leave that one ear exposed to more risk of injury from the stage and the other ear at risk from having to increase the IEM volume. The best part about an IEM is that when you wear both IEMs, the brain perceives the sound at 6-9 dB higher, which helps you hear better. Always be sure to check the IEM seal, measure output levels, and get your hearing tested annually so you’re always aware of what is happening with your hearing.

Hearing Protection 101

A person’s hearing perception is influenced by ear canal resonance, neural pathways, and the individual’s personal experience with sound. This is why music industry professionals can technically train their ears to work with any kind of hearing protection, though some earplugs make it easier than others. Hearing protection devices can be either active or passive.

Pre-molded hearing protection devices are popular but should also be used carefully. If musicians are unsure whether the molded device fits properly, it is always best to meet with an audiologist who will be able to do the proper testing and assessment to ensure you’re not unwittingly damaging your ears.

Remember, hearing protection isn’t only about earplugs; it’s much more than that. It requires working with a trained audiologist so you get proper care and are given the important information you need to maintain your hearing health. It’s about using the product that is right for your needs, not just from a brand you admire. And being proactive about your hearing health is critical, annual hearing tests are strongly encouraged.

If you’re using any hearing assistive devices, like earplugs or IEMs, be sure to have them checked for fit regularly. An annual hearing exam is an excellent opportunity to ensure you still have a proper seal and that your earplugs or IEMs are doing their jobs properly.

Music Audiology in Longmont, CO

Are you a musician or do you have a musician you care about in your life? If you want to continue creating or appreciating music for years to come and haven’t seen a music audiologist yet, or in a long while, maybe it’s time you do.

Make an appointment with a music audiologist near you and take control of your hearing health. Together, you can work on a plan to ensure your hearing is cared for in the way it deserves.

Longmont Hearing and Tinnitus Center has music audiologists trained in ensuring that musicians’ hearing health is in the best possible condition. Contact us today!