If loud music is part of your job, you owe it to your ears to understand the dangers and how to protect them. You deserve a lifetime of healthy hearing. It's never too late, and we're here to help.
For more than three decades, Dr. Michael Santucci has been working to protect and conserve hearing for musicians and people in other industries with high levels of noise or sound exposure. Our goal is to raise awareness of dangers, and then eliminate them. We continue to pioneer new technologies and hearing loss prevention strategies so you can protect yourself from long-term hearing injury while still doing what you love.
Your ear health isn’t something you always think about. It’s the only thing we think about.
Noise adds up. According to OSHA, if you rehearse at 100dB, you can go for two hours without damage. But what happens when you move that up to 105dB? Your safe limit plunges down to one hour...and NIOSH standards are even tougher.
And that’s assuming you don’t expose yourself to any other noise that whole day - which you will.
Check out the video at left to learn how complex and precious your hearing really is. The line between safety and danger is a thin one. The more you know about protecting yourself, the better off you’ll be. We’re here to help.
Music is your life. But your hearing directly impacts your quality of life. Too many people ignore their ear health, even though it can have long-term, wide-spread, negative effects on your life. Here are some facts.
These are by high sound levels of music: hearing loss, distortion, tinnitus, hyperacusis, and diplacusis.
A perception of sound in the absence of external sound, decreased sound tolerance, hearing one pitch as two, and an inability to match pitch.
Whether it’s music or industrial noise. Even brief exposure to sound over 115 dB can pose a serious health risk.
Ears need time to recover from overexposure to loud sound. You may feel fine now, but repeated decibels add up over a lifetime.
Most hearing loss happens slowly over time. You may not even notice it as it's happening. That's why it's important to have your ears checked annually.
Injury often start off as muffled hearing, ringing or buzzing sounds after a performance or rehearsal. In most cases, the symptoms are temporary. You shrug it off. But over time, the effects become more pronounced and longer lasting. Without warning, they can become permanent.
OSHA isn’t stepping onto your stage. We don’t want anyone to regulate music. We just want you to be protected.
Wherever I go, I’ve always got my custom earplugs – which are silicone, of course – and I actually carry an extra pair in my left pocket at all times. I’m super concerned about it, not just on stage, but when I go to shows or even parties. I tell all my friends, ‘invest in your ears.’ If you love music, it’s really important.”
What does it take to stay healthy? There are three parts to maintaining a high standard of ear health throughout your career.
How long are you exposed to higher decibel levels? Does your job entail noise? You could be a lead singer or you could work the bar at the club, but you have exposure. Understand your risks.
Consulting with an audiologist on a regular basis is vital. You learn your baseline, track changes in your hearing, and learn how to treat your ears with the respect they deserve.
The right devices, such as filtered earplugs and IEMs, will protect your ears from loud noises and conserve your hearing, helping you achieve a lifetime of healthy hearing in our noisy world.
Connect with us for an appointment, consultation, or to find out more on protecting your ears while following your passion and doing your job. We give you the freedom to do what you love.