In March this year, a viola player won a landmark case against the Royal Opera House for hearing damage. Christopher Goldschneider, a Musicians’ Union (MU) member, claimed that his position in front of the 18-strong brass section had given him ‘acoustic shock’ over time, and the judge agreed. Tests showed that he had repeatedly been exposed to sound levels of at least 137 decibels – equivalent to standing within 30 metres of a jet engine.
The case is a stark reminder that music can easily reach volumes that are loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage. If you are in any position of authority or leadership – whether this means employing musicians or leading musical activities in an educational environment – you would be well advised to make hearing protection a central part of what you do, both to minimise your liability and protect the hearing health of yourself and others.
Starting with your own hearing, the MU offers its members a reduced rate to access an innovative and effective hearing health scheme. The Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme is administered by Help Musicians UK and costs just £30 for MU members. It includes a hearing check to identify any existing damage, and a pair of bespoke, moulded musicians’ earplugs that would normally cost over £200. Non-MU members can also access the scheme for £40 thanks to a subsidy from Help Musicians UK.
Adapting to earplugs can be strange if you are not used to them, but with practice it is possible. Wind players and singers might find it especially challenging due to the acoustic nature of their disciplines, but different filters are available, meaning that only a small percentage of decibels – just enough to protect your hearing – need be shaved off the total level of sound being experienced. The earplugs are specifically designed to retain the quality of the sound while also minimising it, which makes them better suited to music-making than types of earplug that simply block sound.
The MU, in consultation with the Association of British Orchestras and other lead sector bodies, helped draft the Health and Safety Executive's Sound Advice booklet in 2008, which can be downloaded for free online. This publication addresses both performing and teaching contexts and is helpful as an overview of the hazards that can affect musicians’ hearing. Of particular relevance to music educators is a chart of the typical and peak decibel levels created by each instrument, which can be found on page 110 of the document. Charts are also available for instruments that are commonly found in classroom music lessons and in marching bands, among other examples.
One hazard to be aware of is cumulative sound exposure, which is more likely to cause damage than exposure for short periods. This is likely to affect teachers, and if you are concerned about it you can use a free online tool to calculate the level of sound you are exposed to over the course of a day. Where a risk is identified, there may be ways to mitigate this in addition to using earplugs, for example by dampening the acoustic of your teaching space and structuring lessons and rehearsals to limit excess sound.
Of course, protecting the hearing of your students is just as important as protecting your own. Where appropriate, this may include discussing the issue of hearing health with them so that the potential for damage is understood. This will help your students appreciate the need for the measures mentioned above. Other measures worth considering include asking students to point their instruments away from you, using acoustic screens for the most powerful instruments, not scheduling the loudest lessons back-to-back, and minimising playing along with students.
Sometimes, teachers will advocate the use of hearing protection for rehearsals but not for performances. This can be legitimate, but there are situations – drumming groups, for example – that call for hearing protection for concerts as well as rehearsals. If such instances are a regular part of your work, consider recommending the purchase of a set of hearing protection devices for your students. While the Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme is currently not available for the under-18s, there are other budget-friendly filter-based earplugs available online, as well as over-ear protectors if in-ear versions cannot be used. Earplugs can be bought in bright colours with strings to keep them attached, which can help make hearing health a fun part of concert attire.
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You can find out more about the Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme and apply at www.hearformusicians.org.uk
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The Health and Safety Executive's Sound Advice booklet can be downloaded for free at tinyurl.com/mt9-mubooklet
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The free online tool to calculate sound exposure can be found at tinyurl.com/mt9-mucalc
