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Have you ever noticed a sudden high-pitched ringing in your ears, even in complete silence? That’s not just a random occurrence—it’s a warning sign from your ears. This phenomenon, known as tinnitus, often means you’ve been exposed to loud sounds for too long.Yet, many of us underestimate just how much loud music and noise can impact our hearing—until the damage is done. The good news is that with the right precautions, you can protect your ears and ensure you will be able to play your instruments and enjoy the music you love for a long time.
Some statistics
According to the World Health Organization, more than a billion young people, ages 12 to 35, are putting their hearing at risk by listening to music in their earphones too loudly or being around noisy environments for too long. Even more worryingly, if you’re a musician, that risk is much higher. Whether it’s your own instrument or bandmates playing next to you at full volume, your ears are constantly at work. As a matter of fact, musicians are a population highly prone to having hearing problems due to overexposure to loud music or sounds. These can even go over the intensity and duration of the clamour that industrial workers are exposed to daily. The University of Montreal’s faculty of music conducted a study in 2024 with 65 of their students, which found that many musicians experienced tinnitus and hearing fatigue. But here’s the interesting part: the more they knew about the risks of loud sounds, the less they struggled with tinnitus, since those students were more likely to have used hearing protection. This study not only reinforces the idea that musicians are at high risk for hearing damage, but that knowledge of the subject and the adoption of preventive habits can prevent those hearing-related problems.
Noise Exposure 101
Hearing loss depends on the dBA level (loudness), duration (time period) and frequency of exposure. Your ears can safely handle sounds up to 85 dBA, which is about as loud as a blender or a busy café, for eight hours. But here’s the catch: the louder the sound, the less safe time you have. Concerts and practice sessions often go past 100 dBA, and at that level, your hearing can be damaged in just 15 minutes or less. Therefore, if you’re playing for hours without hearing protection or other protective measures, your ears might regret it later.
Did you know?
Did you know you can monitor the volume at which you listen to your music? Some smartphones have an integrated hearing setting that shows how loud your music is and warns if the volume is getting too high. This fosters good listening habits which will be beneficial for your hearing in the long run. Other tools, such as sound-level meter apps can measure the level of noise around you, helping you stay aware of the sound level in your environment. Thankfully, technology is on our side; these apps and features make it easier than ever to raise awareness on the importance of taking care of your ears, so you can enjoy music safely.
Impacts and risks of exposure to loud noises
Hearing damage is often unseen, and sadly cannot be fixed. Once the little hair cells inside your ears are damaged by loud sounds, they can never regenerate, meaning the hearing loss is permanent. You may start having trouble understanding conversations or noticing that certain sounds—especially high-pitched ones—become harder to hear. You could also develop tinnitus, a persistent ringing or buzzing in one or both ears, that can last for an unknown amount of time. If it sticks around, it can be incredibly frustrating.
How You can protect your hearing
The good news is that there are simple ways to protect your hearing. If done properly at an early stage, many hearing problems can be prevented. Education, prevention, and good listening habits are the keys to long-term hearing health, and studies have shown that awareness programs can make a real difference. One of the ways to safeguard your ears is by wearing hearing protection in loud environments—whether you’re practising your instrument, attending concerts, or even spending time in bars. Filtered ear protection and custom-made earplugs for musicians can help reduce exposure to damaging sound levels, all while still maintaining the sound quality. Foam earplugs available in pharmacies are also an easy and affordable option for quick hearing protection! However, hearing protection alone isn’t enough. Developing good listening habits—like monitoring and lowering the volume, maintaining distance from loud sound sources, taking breaks or reducing exposure time, and playing music in well-insulated spaces—is just as important. By combining protection with mindful listening, you can significantly reduce the risk of long-term damage. Therefore, before that high-pitched ringing returns, take a moment to lower the volume or grab your hearing protection. Your hearing isn’t just essential for making music, it shapes how you experience the world. Small changes today can make a lasting difference. Your future self, and ears, will thank you.
Michelle Yeung is an audiologist and PhD student in Audiology at the University of Montreal.
This page is also available in / Cette page est également disponible en:
Francais (French)
