In the United States alone, there are 36 million Americans with some type of hearing loss or deafness and 80% of those affected have damage that is permanent. In deaf culture, deafness is seen more as a unique way to experience life than a disability, but for musicians—unless you’re the second coming of Beethoven—losing the use of your ears puts quite the damper on the ol’ career.

The Lowdown on Decibels

As tough as it is to swallow, turning amps and speakers down to 90 decibels (dBs) or lower is essential to maintain and preserve healthy hearing, reports Hearnet.com. Decibels are used to measure intensity or volume on a logarithmic scale, so for every increase of 10, it goes up tenfold. In other words, 20 dB are ten times louder than 10 dB, but 30 dB are 100 times louder than 10, making 40 decibels a whopping 1000 times louder than 10 dB!

There are four different degrees of hearing loss — mild, moderate, severe and profound.

• Mild hearing loss (25-40 dB of loss) means you may have difficulty following a conversation if the person speaking is more than six feet away or if there’s background noise.
• People with moderate loss (40-70 dB) have a hard time following a conversation more than three feet away, and they have to wear a hearing aid if there’s background noise.
• Severe hearing loss (70-90 dB) means you can’t hear someone’s voice if they’re shouting at you from just one foot away.

Once you’ve hit profound hearing loss, (91dB or more) you can only hear super loud noises like a nearby gunshot or jet plane, and you’d have to wear hearing aids to hear the telephone ring. For those with profound hearing loss, normal conversations are difficult to understand, even with hearing aids.

How Loud is Too Loud?

Noise Chart

The softest sound humans can hear is 0 dB. A normal conversation ranges between 60-70 dB. Since 90 dB is the threshold for comfortable listening, it may seem rather loud, but the average rock concert hits about 110–120 dB, sometimes reaching as high as 140 dB. A definite danger zone for your precious ears!

What happens once you go beyond 90 dB? Specialists at H.E.A.R. (Hearnet.com) say after 90 dB, every increase of 5 dB in volume will cut your safe exposure time in half. UNM audiologist and saxophone player, Jose Correa, echoes this, “At louder levels you’re allowed a shorter dose of time without damage, while at higher levels you can only listen to music for a very short time without causing permanent damage.” Correa adds, “At lower levels, you can listen to music for a longer period of time without causing permanent damage.”

This means that you can essentially spend an entire 8-hour workday with the volume at 90 dB (maximum), but if you pump up the volume to 95 dB, you can only listen for 4 hours without damaging your hearing. At 100 dB, 2 hours is the limit, and once you hit 120 dB—the level at which a lot of musicians practice—you’re only allowed seven and–a–half minutes of exposure. After that, experts maintain you’re doing damage.

Of course, daily exposure to environmental noises can exceed 90 dB; however, these brief encounters don’t require ear protection. The chances of sustaining hearing damage grows exponentially when people begin to increase the volume of portable devices to drown out external noises. Most people are not aware of their behavior when it comes to managing exposure times.

An Argument for Earplugs

Musicians Filtered Earplugs by ListenHear

So what does this mean for musicians? If you’re playing with a drum kit, guitar, and bass amps in a tiny rehearsal space, it’s more than likely you’re creating in excess of 120 dB of noise, so wear your earplugs! Correa insists on wearing plugs, “Anytime you’re playing beyond 90 dB, you should wear earplugs,” he says.

Many musicians don’t follow this advice because they believe plugs cut out all noise levels, even the essential ones. In fact, some musicians say it’s frustrating when one band member is wearing plugs and the rest are not.

Albuquerque-based musician, Jupiter John, refuses to compromise, “I wouldn’t wear earplugs. The bass player in my band Scratch wears special plugs that were made for her and she can’t hear my guitar half the time.” He explains, “Plugs bring the volume of everything down and it’s hard to hear when you’re wearing them because they cut out the highs [frequency noises], so it’s hard to hear the cymbals and the guitars.”

PM800S Stage Monitors by ListenHear

Correa disagrees. He says that regardless of what instrument you play, as long as you’re a musician, it’s definitely worth it. “Earplugs are a little bit of a test to get used to, but once you get over that initial hump, you can adjust to them—I wear them every time I practice.”

But how is a music lover supposed to adjust to wearing and using earplugs? “It sounds sort of hollow [to play with earplugs], but the more you use them, the more the sound starts to stabilize,” says Correa.

Like Your Mama Said—Always Use Protection

There are earplugs designed specifically for musicians, which average about $160 a set. Most of these devices can be found at audiologists’ offices or on the internet. Among the most popular brands are ListenHear, and Westone, which is the brand Correa himself uses.

All musicians are at risk for hearing damage, but some are more in the line of fire than others. Correa concurs, “Everyone [who plays] is at risk—but the drummers, being near their snare and cymbals—are most at risk.”

Translation—don’t waste another minute. Invest in some earplugs and save your ears. Even a pair of 20-buck ER earplugs or the cheapie, industrial, foam kind can do the trick. Dancesafe chapters working with H.E.A.R. give foam earplugs out for free, so no excuses about not being able to afford them because you spent all your money on 12-dollar beers at Sasquatch.

Musicians, do yourself a favor. Whether you’re rehearsing with your buddies, out playing a show, or at your favorite club, forget the cotton balls and rolled up tissue, and invest in some plugs. Even if you’re listening from the audience, and especially if you’re standing anywhere close to the stage or speakers, you’re taking a risk. If they bother you, hang in there. You’ll get used to ’em.

And ten years from now, you’ll be glad you did!

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In the club scene, many DJs think that sacrificing their hearing for the love of the crowd is a small price to pay. Three west coast DJs talked to Sonic Weekly about ear protection and sound regulation, and why the status quo is sound over safety.

“The Louder the Better”

Hearing loss has been a serious problem in the club scene for years. With big speakers and small venues, the probability of damaging your hearing is pretty high. Blasting your ears with electronic dance music on a consistent basis will eventually cause damage to your ears, and could worsen a pre-existing hearing problem.

Most music venues have an average decibel level of 110 to 120 dB, and at times up to 140. Any exposure to sound over 120 decibels for more than 7 and a half minutes will cause irreversible hearing loss. When you consider the fact that a gunshot at the peak of its volume is 140 to 170 decibels, it puts the magnitude of this much sound into perspective.

DJs and club goers are especially at risk for damaging their hearing, and yet it seems that very few are concerned. In a culture that feeds into cultivating style over personal health and safety, there are many who scoff at the idea of earplugs. Although concern over hearing loss in the club scene is growing, the reality is that changing the behavior of people rarely happens overnight. And for some DJs, hearing loss isn’t reason enough to mess with a good thing.

“I Want Them To Feel It”

DJ Rugged is an underground DJ from Orange County, California, who spins a unique blend of hip-hop and hardcore. We wanted to find out about the role he plays concerning sound awareness and sound protection for his audience. Rugged says that often, different venues he spins at have mandatory sound checks. “It’s usually the club owner, you know? But sometimes I’ll use my own buddies to do quick sound check. I’ll send them out on the dance floor to tell me if it seems too loud.”

When asked how he knows if music is too loud for the audience, he says, “I think it’s up to the audience. They can stand in front by the speakers if they want, or be in the back. It doesn’t really concern me. In my mind, the louder the better.”

Rugged seems to endorse the idea of his audience using ear protection, but isn’t overly excited about the concept. “I think it’s cool. If people want to be safe and use ear plugs then more power to them. I have a few buddies that wear them. But it’s really not a huge deal to me.” He goes on to say, “I look at it like this: either you dig my music or you don’t. If people out there can enjoy my music with earplugs in, then I’m all for it.”

When asked whether he was concerned about his hearing due to constant exposure to loud music, he said, “I am concerned, but if I’m at a show I tend to not really think about it. I get caught up in the moment and earplugs are kind of the last thing on my mind.” Rugged believes there is a direct correlation between the level of sound he plays his music at, and the audience’s involvement and enjoyment of the show. “When I play shit with a heavy bass-line, I want it loud so people can be like, ‘Oh shit, I’m digging this beat.’ I really want them to feel it.”

We asked Rugged if he blasts the volume when he listens to music at home. “I do always,” he confirmed. “I have to be able to feel that bass-line. It makes it easier for me to hear the transitions and the beat when it’s really loud. It also helps me decide if I like the beats that I made or if they need work.”

“I’m a Terrible Example”

Citizen Ten

Citizen Ten is a DJ out of San Francisco who spins electronic and hip-hop beats, as well as some rare soul and international. He has an entertaining and different take than DJ Rugged on the issue of ear protection. During Citizen Ten’s early years of spinning at shows, worry about hearing loss seemed to be a non-issue. However, after speaking with him, it became clear that hearing damage has begun to impact his life and career as a DJ. He’s decided it’s time to protect the most valued assets to his career, his ears. “I’ve been irresponsibly damaging my hearing since I was a teenager rocking out at punk shows and I still don’t wear ear plugs,” he admits. “I should. Everyone should.”

When asked about any personal hearing loss over the years, Citizen Ten said, “Oh yeah, it has definitely caught up with me. My girlfriend will be standing in the same room as me and asking me something, and I literally have to ask her, ‘What?’ two or three times before I can hear what she’s saying. It sucks.”

As his hearing has diminished, he seems much more eager to embrace new technology to save the hearing he has left. “I’ve been meaning to get those pro custom ear plugs that reduce, like, everything, but haven’t gotten around to it. I’m a terrible example. I recommend them to everyone. I’ll make my kids wear ‘em one day. My hearing is getting worse and worse and there’s no doubt in my mind it’s from DJing and all around rocking out way too hard.”

“Earplugs, Earplugs, Earplugs”

ListenHear - Musicians Filtered Earplugs

When asked if he had ever seen the cult classic movie, It’s All Gone Pete Tong—a movie about a famous DJ that goes completely deaf—Citizen Ten replied, “From what I’ve gathered, it’s an extremely true scenario. It’s happening to me now – but not on that level. The messed up thing is that, as a DJ, if the sound system or the monitor is too loud, I have to crank up my headphones louder just to hear the next song I’m mixing in. Hence the damage. It’s a vicious cycle. I don’t think we’re going to see a massive trend towards lower levels of volume either. Ever. That being said – it’s all about decibel-cutting earplugs. Earplugs, earplugs, earplugs. I sound like my dad…”

“The Crowd Will Feel It”

DJ Mark Moreno

Finally, we spoke with Mark Moreno, a well-known DJ from Orange County CA, who spins house, electro, and hip hop. Moreno has played large-scale venues, but which of these was the loudest? “It was definitely the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles back in 2007. It was for the Jeremy McGrath Invitational and I was playing for 30,000 people each day. It was crazy loud!”

Moreno says that over the years he has noticed some hearing damage, but feels a sense of dedication to his audience as far as playing his shows at a maximum volume level. “I have noticed that my left ear has a loss of hearing since I use that side for my headphones. I don’t worry too much about it because my ears were shot from water damage, or as we say, ‘Surfers Ear.’ The kids at shows like it as loud as possible so I give it to them when the system or promoters permit. They love it.”

“I’m Not Too Worried”

Moreno seems more devoted to his audience’s satisfaction than concerned over his own possible hearing loss. He accepts hearing loss as something that just comes with the territory of being a DJ. “Like I said before, my ears are already dust from surfing, so I’m not too worried. I’m sure as the years go by I’ll have a significant amount of damage to them.”

Like Rugged, Moreno feels strongly that the volume levels of his music directly affect the crowd and their enjoyment. “I love playing with the audience on an audio level. If I’m about a hot track that I know will kill the dance floor, I’ll reduce the volume of the track playing so when the heat comes, the crowd will feel it. They love it when those 808s and four on the floors hit loud and hard.”

Why is changing the norm so difficult when it comes to listening to club music? As far as protecting your ears, maybe it’s going to take one more generation of over the hill, deaf club-goers to make the switch official. What category will you fall under: …trendy or trendsetter?  Let us know your take on DJing and hearing loss in the Sound-Off forum!”

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Forget the Swine Flu. Hearing loss in the music industry has reached epidemic proportions and no musician or music fan is immune. Sonic Weekly takes a look at the growing problem and shares some tips on how musicians can protect their most valuable instruments.

Do your ears ring for days after you’ve played a gig? Find yourself straining to hear your band mates on stage, or turning up the volume on your stereo or amp way beyond what you used to only a few years ago? If so, you’re not alone. This form of hearing loss, most commonly known as tinnitus or “ringing in the ears” affects as many as 75% of musicians.

Here Comes the Science

Tinnitus is associated with sensorineural hearing loss or damage to the hearing nerve in the inner ear. Of the three major types of hearing loss—sensorineural, conductive and central—sensorineural accounts for 90% of all deafness.

Tinnitus can be caused by repeated exposure to very loud noise—and that includes everything from your buddy’s insanely loud gig last week to band practice. But tinnitus can also be caused by a buildup of earwax. In that case, you’re lucky. Simple removal of your inner ear goop by a medical professional can make all the difference.

Noise Chart

Why is it so important to monitor our ears? Because most of the time, we don’t even notice when damage is being done. “If you’re in an environment where you have to shout to be heard, that’s a concern,” says LA-based audiologist, Dr. Doug Anderson. When you’re exposed to loud noise for extended periods, damage can become permanent surprisingly quickly. Whether you’re a heavy metal drummer or a concert violinist, your instruments probably tend to get cranked way too loud, and the sounds that are most damaging to your ears occur in those high frequencies.

Yup, even classical musicians are at risk. Hard rock and heavy metal get the bad rep as dangerous culprits because of the emphasis on loud guitars and drums, but in actuality, violins and violas can be worse. These instruments are played so closely to one isolated ear—usually the left—that any resulting hearing loss can be much worse in that particular ear.

Drummers frequently suffer because of the pounding volume and the high frequency, high-decibel noise coming from their timpani and bass drum rolls. And what’s worse is the fact that it affects both the left and right ear. “I literally have to put the speaker monitors next to my head because I can’t hear myself playing,” says Kronik, a drummer from Albuquerque, New Mexico. “Sometimes I’ve even had to have the bassist turn towards me at a gig, because it’s impossible to hear him otherwise.”

Being out in front of the drum kit isn’t much better, however. One hard rock frontman we spoke to says he often has trouble distinguishing low tones coming out of the amplifier. “When I’m playing I’m not worried about what they’re hearing out there [in the audience] ‘cause when I’m up here it’s so loud!”

Maybe Don’t Feel the Vibrations

Feeling the beat!

Avid concertgoers love cramming themselves up against the stage so they can see and hear the action right up close. But that enthusiasm can have consequences—namely three or four days of temporary hearing loss as a result of standing too close to the stage’s left or right speakers.

This type of temporary deafness is called sudden hearing loss (SHL), and yes, you experience it after a screamo show when even your spine feels pulverized by noise. But sudden hearing loss can also be caused by going to a violin or piano recital if you get too close to the speakers. In fact, Dr. Anderson warns, “If you’re sitting in an orchestra near the trombone and/or horn section, it can be deadly for your ears.”

Earbuds: Deep Down, You Knew They Were No Good

Never leave the house without your iPod? It’s addictive, and like most addictive substances, it makes users pay the price. “iPods can damage your hearing,” says Dr. Anderson. In fact, iPod users stand to have the worst type of hearing damage to their ears because of the amount of noise going directly into the inner ear from the use of earbuds. Circumaural headphones, which sit outside the ear, cause less damage, but have steadily faded in popularity over the past few decades.

How To Save Your Ears

Dr. Anderson gives this advice to musicians that spend their lives up on stage, “You should wear special noise reduction plugs that reduce sound evenly. Audiologists’ offices and labs have specially-made [earplugs] for musicians, so you can just walk in there and ask for musicians’ plugs and they’ll know exactly what you’re talking about.”

More advice? “When you’re up on stage, be conscientious of the fact that loudspeakers produce both high and low frequencies and standing beside the speaker, instead of in front of it, is a good way to protect your ears. Again, it’s always best to stand behind or to the side of the speaker,” says Dr. Anderson.

How To Love Your Ears

PM800S Stage Monitors by ListenHear

Preventive measures can also be taken to avoid or reduce damage that may have already been done to your eardrums. Since our small protective ear muscles contract when we hum or sing, some experts say humming just before and while you’re playing your instrument is a great way to naturally provide a bit of extra protection. (Who would’ve thought, right?)

Other strategies can also be used to reduce any chance of noise injury from instruments. Where drums are concerned, plexiglass baffles can be used. They act as a protective chamber surrounding a drum and are helpful for noise-reduction where a high-hat cymbal is being used heavily.

For musicians on stage, Dr. Anderson recommends using ear monitors to block out loud sound levels. Ear monitors, which resemble hearing aids, are electronic devices that can protect hearing while allowing musicians to hear what they’re playing. Acoustic monitors also block sound coming from fellow band mates while allowing the musician to hear his own instrument.

The Great Earplug Debate

For musicians, earplugs can have both positive and negative results, “Ear plugs are good because you’re more conscious of singing on key and you’re more conscious of your vocal tone,” says Andy Reyes, a Colorado-based vocalist, “But there’s a negative aspect because you don’t know what the audience is hearing.”

Musicians Filtered Earplugs by ListenHear

Despite doctors’ warnings, most musicians prefer not to use earplugs because of how little you can hear while wearing them. Reyes explains why, “When you’re singing with earplugs on, it’s harder to tell what the band sounds like. A lot of times people will wear just one earplug when they’re practicing, so they can hear better.” But he admits, “I wouldn’t wear them at a gig.”

Younger musicians may be less inclined to use earplugs because they don’t exactly fit the rockstar profile. But take it from the veterans, it’s even less rockstar to lose your hearing. No one wants to end up 40 years old and nearly deaf, like Pete Townsend of The Who.

Take note—rolling up toilet or snot tissue provides absolutely no protection for your ears. If you really want to protect yourself, whether you’re playing or just listening to live music, you need to break down and wear ear protection.

Whether you’re a musician playing a gig, or an avid concertgoer or clubber, rock those earplugs, and stand at least 10 feet away from the speakers when you take in your next show. Ten years from now, when your friends are half-deaf and you’re still hearing your favorite noises perfectly, you’ll be glad you did.

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