For musicians, being immersed in sound is a crucial part of the job. However, this constant exposure to high sound levels can pose serious risks to hearing health if you don't understand one simple rule. As the music gets louder, the potential for hearing damage increases, but how do you know how loud is too long, and how long can you stay somewhere before you're likely to have a lovely set of ringing ears in the morning? Understanding safe exposure times is essential for protecting your ears while still delivering great performances. In this post, we’ll explore how sound levels affect hearing and how musicians can keep themselves safe, both on and off stage!
The Risks of Loud Music
AC/DC stated that Rock N Roll Ain't Noise Pollution, which we totally agree with! However as Brian Johnson famously felt back in 2016, too much of a good thing can lead to hearing damage or worse, irreparable hearing loss!
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), exposure to sound levels above 85dB for extended periods (which really isn't that loud) can lead to irreversible hearing loss. Unfortunately, many concerts and live performances easily exceed this threshold, often reaching levels around 100 dB or higher. So what can you do?
Simple Hearing Protection Science: Remember the 3dB Rule!
Musicians & Engineers, do you know how loud your last gig was? Did you need Hearing Protection? Ask yourself this question. If you play professionally and the answer is no... read this!
Your Safe Exposure Times
The duration of safe exposure to sound levels decreases as the volume increases. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Every 3dB of volume increase, sound waves get TWICE as powerful. This means when WHO said, at 86dB you can listen for 8hours safely, take that to 89dB, you can only listen safely for 4 hours! So as we go up in Sound Pressure Level, the more powerful the sound and the more stress its' going to put on your ears!
At 100 dB: The safe exposure time is approximately 15 minutes without any hearing protection. This means that after just a short time at this volume, musicians risk permanent hearing damage.
With Protection: When using hearing protection, such as ACS Custom earplugs, which provide a reduction of 17 dB, the safe exposure time significantly increases. With these earplugs in place, the effective volume is reduced to approximately 83 dB. At this level, the safe exposure time extends to 8 hours.
Tips for Protecting Your Hearing
In addition to using earplugs, here are some additional tips to help musicians protect their hearing during shows:
Take Breaks: Step away from the stage or loud areas whenever possible. Short breaks can help your ears recover from the intense sound levels.
Monitor Sound Levels: Invest in a decibel meter app to monitor the sound levels during rehearsals and performances. This can help you gauge when it’s time to take precautions.
Educate Your Band: Ensure that everyone in your band understands the importance of hearing protection and is on the same page about maintaining a safe sound environment.
Use Sound Barriers: If possible, utilise sound barriers or acoustic treatment in practice spaces to help minimise exposure to loud sound levels.
Use Earplugs & In Ear Monitors: Finally, we always advocate using Custom Earplugs and Custom In Ear Monitors as a way of comfortably reducing your sound exposure and keeping your ears safe!
Which Musicians Earplugs are best? We personally use ACS Custom Earplugs and we'd say they are'Industry Standard' for good reason...
As professional musicians, we've used ACS Pro17 earplugs before DCA was even an idea, ACS Custom have been in business for 30years and their earplugs are designed specifically for musicians and provide several benefits that help safeguard hearing:
Customised Fit: Unlike generic earplugs, ACS Custom earplugs are moulded to fit the unique shape of your ears. This ensures comfort and prevents them from falling out during performances and a guaranteed level of isolation, knowing you're safe in loud spaces!
Flat Frequency Response: ACS earplugs reduce sound levels evenly across all frequencies, preserving the quality of the music while lowering the overall volume. This means musicians can still hear the nuances of their performance, and engineers can still make critical mixing decisions without the risk of damaging their hearing.
Durability: Made from high-quality materials, these earplugs are designed to withstand the rigors of live performances and regular use, making them a wise investment for any musician.
Hearing Protection for All Situations: ACS offers different filters for various sound environments, allowing musicians to choose the level of protection that best suits their needs—whether in practice, during rehearsals, or at live shows.
Conclusion
Musicians are at a higher risk of hearing damage due to the loud environments in which they work. By understanding safe exposure times and using effective hearing protection, like ACS Custom earplugs, you can significantly reduce the risk of permanent hearing loss while still enjoying the music you love.
If you’re ready to take proactive steps to protect your hearing, visit Dakin Custom Audio to explore the range of ACS Custom earplugs available. We're working Musicians & Engineers too, so we can help you find the right solution to fit your needs, ensuring that you can do your thing safely and confidently for years to come without the compromise. Protect your passion—your ears will thank you!
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