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Being a musician or DJ can mean exposing your ears to loud sounds/noise. If this happens too often, you run the risk of getting tinnitus. But by taking precautions, you can greatly reduce the risk without having to give up doing what you love.
Know the Risk
You risk of getting tinnitus depends on what type of musician or DJ you are, and how long you are exposed to loud noise while playing. But the chances are that you might be at risk. Exposure to any noise of 85 decibels and above is unsafe without ear protection. Live rock bands common play at 112 decibels. Listening to music this loud without protection for any longer than a minute can give you permanent ear damage. Symphony orchestras often reach 94 decibels – it is unsafe to listen to that level of noise for more than an hour.
Know your Rights
If you are an employed musician or DJ – for example, if you are in an in-house orchestra or band- your employer has a legal obligation to make sure you are not exposed to unsafe levels of noise. If you are regularly exposed to noise at 85 decibels, your boss must give ear protection. Exposure to noise above 87 decibels, if it is not reduced by hearing protection, is illegal. For more information on the law, look up the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.
Wear Ear Protection
There is no better way to reduce your exposure to loud music than wearing ear protection. Foam earplugs from high street are cheap, but they are no good for protecting against loud sounds or listening to music, as they muffle all sound. Custom moulded earplugs and in-ear monitors high-spec earphones used by musicians and DJs while on stage work even better.
Other Tips
There is no substitute for good earplugs but taking additional steps will also help. Staying hydrated helps your hearing, so keep drinking water while you are making music. The more distance you put between yourself and loud noise, the better. So, do not stand near speakers, and whenever possible, take a break from the music to give your ears recovery time. Finally, can you make the music quieter, even by just a fraction? Reducing noise levels by three decibels will double the amount of time you can be exposed to the sound before it becomes unsafe.
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