How musicians can look after their hearing

Author: Siddrah Malik
Published: March 27, 2017
Last reviewed by: Beth Newbould
Last reviewed: February 18, 2026

If Aussie rockers AC/DC are to be believed, rock and roll ain’t noise pollution – but it’s pretty bad for your ears. From rock concerts to pneumatic drills and even classical wind instruments, exposure to very loud noises for long periods can cause temporary or even permanent damage to your hearing, and musicians are amongst the hardest hit.

We all know that volume is part of the fun, but it’s a sobering fact that 1.5 billion people worldwide are living with hearing loss, and noise-induced hearing loss is the second biggest cause.

Unsurprisingly, nearly 50% of musicians experience some degree of hearing loss due to exposure to loud music. Neil Young, Chris Martin, Brian Wilson, Phil Collins, and Pete Townshend (to name just a few) are all reported to suffer from noise-induced hearing conditions. Classical musicians don’t fare any better: some studies have shown that 15% of classical musicians suffer from permanent tinnitus.

Unfortunately, once your hearing is damaged, it’s damaged for good.

Loud music and ear damage

 Source Distance dBSPL
Aeroplane engine 1m 150db
Loudest human voice 2.5cm 135db
Trumpet 0.5m 130db
Rock concert 30m 120db
Pneumatic drill 1m 100db
Busy traffic 10m 80-90db
Hearing damage threshold 0m 85db
Normal conversation 1m 40-60db
Calm breathing 0m 10db
Silence 0m 0db

 

Noise-induced hearing loss is caused by pressure waves (sound waves) damaging the small hair cells in our ears. These hair cells translate pressure waves into signals our brains understand as sound, so when these hairs are damaged our hearing is damaged too.

As a musician, you might know that volume is measured in decibel sound pressure level (dBSPL). 0 dBSPL is silence, 40-60 dBSPL is normal conversation, and 85 dBSPL – roughly the sound level generated by heavy traffic on a busy road – is the level at which hearing damage can occur if exposed to over long periods of time. If you’re a gigging musician, consider buying a decibel meter to help keep your performances to a safe volume.

Hearing aids

There are several types of hearing problems that can develop due to noise exposure, such as tinnitus, but other common forms of hearing loss, such as high frequency hearing loss, impair your ability to hear higher frequency sounds.

There is no medical cure for high frequency hearing loss, but a hearing support will make a big difference. Our experienced audiologists here at Leightons will give you the guidance you need to find the right hearing solution.

Ear protection for musicians

As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. To help keep volume levels to an acceptable level, many musicians use in-ear monitors – pro-audio equipment that helps regulate the sound levels they are exposed to while performing or recording music.

Custom moulded in-ear monitors, like ACS In-Ear Monitors are used by many top musicians, DJs and music lovers alike. These bespoke in-ear monitors are supremely comfortable and deliver incredible sound quality while also reducing ambient noise levels by up to 35 decibels. This means you can keep the volume down yet still hear every kick-drum pattern or flute trill in perfect fidelity.

Ear plugs that don’t ruin the music

ACS also produce a range of ear plugs for music, the ACS Ear Protection range, which do a fine job of protecting your musician’s ears from further damage. But they’re not any old building site ear defenders – they have a few tricks up their sleeve.

ACS ear plugs feature specialist filters that soften certain sounds without ruining the music. These are true professional musician’s ear plugs that reduce the volume while maintaining the natural tone and feel of the music.

Find out more

If you have any concerns about your hearing, our experienced audiologists are here to help deliver the best ear care for you. Book an appointment online or call us on 0800 40 20 20 and speak to one of our hearing care experts.

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How do hearing amplifiers work?
Hearing amplification devices increase the volume and might make it easier for you to hear sounds louder. Yet they not a prescribed product and do not match your individual needs. Hearing loss is extremely common – millions of people in the UK live with a hearing loss, so you’re not alone. At Leightons Opticians & Hearing Care, our expert audiologists will help you identify the best device for you, in most cases this is a Hearing Aid. What is a hearing amplifier? Much like a tiny PA system, hearing amplification devices use microphones to capture and amplify all sounds around you, before delivering it to your ear at an adequate and audible volume level. What kind of devices are available? There are plenty of hearing amplifiers designed to help you while on the telephone, watching TV, and for in-person conversations. However, these devices amplify all sounds equally and aren’t designed to support hearing loss. For an all‑round solution that adapts to your personal hearing needs, a hearing aid is often the most effective option. Our expert audiologists can assess your hearing and guide you towards the most suitable hearing aid for your lifestyle and needs. What’s the difference between a hearing aid and a hearing amplifier? All hearing aids use amplification, however, hearing aids are regulated medical devices carefully programmed and tailored to fit the hearing loss of a particular individual. This makes them more suitable for moderate to severe hearing loss. Hearing amplifiers are not medical devices and are not designed to diagnose, treat or manage hearing loss. They don’t adapt to your individual needs, meaning they offer volume without improving clarity or understanding. What are induction loops? An induction loop is an older technology system designed to help hearing aid users to hear more clearly in some specific environments. You’ll often find them in places like meeting rooms, theatres, banks, and cinemas.  Here’s how it works:  A thin cable is installed around a room or designated listening area  The system creates a magnetic field that carries speech or important sound  When you switch your hearing aid or ALDs to the T (telecoil) setting, you can hear the sound closer to you and more clear with less background noise  Induction loops can make a huge difference to day‑to‑day listening comfort. Our audiologists can help you understand how loops - and other assistive listening devices - can work with Hearing Aids.  What is Auracast? Auracast is a new Bluetooth audio technology designed to make listening more inclusive. It allows one device to broadcast high-quality sound to multiple compatible hearing aids, earbuds, or headphones at the same time, without the need for pairing. Developed with the hearing aid industry for assistive listening, Auracast could mean easier access to shared audio in public spaces such as train stations and lecture theatres. For people with hearing loss, it’s a positive step towards clearer sound and greater confidence in everyday situations. Leightons free hearing test Leightons Opticians & Hearing Care offers a free hearing test in all branches. We provide a comprehensive hearing check carried out by our experts – professionally trained hearing aid audiologists registered with the HCPC (Health & Care Professions Council), with some even members of the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists. Book your free hearing test now You can book an appointment online or you can call us on 0800 40 20 20 to arrange a free hearing test at your nearest Leightons branch. Alternatively, you can take the test at home. This involves the same experienced, professional audiologist you would see in branch coming to your home to carry out your hearing test with specialist portable equipment.
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