Why Musicians Need Hearing Protection

For musicians, hearing isn’t just a sense - it’s a tool. However, the very passion that drives them—creating and performing music—poses a significant risk to their hearing health. Exposure to high-decibel sound levels over time can lead to irreversible hearing damage, affecting both a musician’s career longevity and quality of life.

Hollywood has captured the tragic reality of hearing loss among musicians in films like A Star Is Born (2018) and Sound of Metal (2019), offering stark reminders of what can happen when hearing protection is neglected. In these stories, as in real life, noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is not just an inconvenience—it’s career-threatening.

So, why is hearing protection essential for musicians, and what options are available to safeguard their most valuable asset?

The Risks of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) For Musicians

Music is loud. Concerts, rehearsals, and studio sessions often exceed safe decibel levels. The human ear can handle up to 85 decibels (dB) without risk, but many live performances and rehearsals regularly hit 100 dB or more. Drummers and guitarists in rock bands can be exposed to 110 dB, while orchestral musicians may face higher levels, especially from brass and percussion sections.

Repeated exposure to these high volumes can cause tinnitus (ringing in the ears), hyperacusis (increased sensitivity to sound), and permanent hearing loss. Unlike a temporary ringing after a concert, permanent damage means lost frequencies, distorted sound perception, and a struggle to hear conversations in noisy environments.

Lessons from Hollywood: When Hearing Loss Ends Careers

Two critically acclaimed films, A Star Is Born and Sound of Metal, highlight the devastating consequences of hearing loss for musicians.

In A Star Is Born, Jackson Maine (played by Bradley Cooper) struggles with tinnitus and hearing loss, which worsen due to years of exposure to loud music and his refusal to wear hearing protection. His hearing damage contributes to his personal and professional downfall, emphasising how untreated hearing issues can lead to isolation and emotional distress.

In Sound of Metal, Ruben Stone (Riz Ahmed), a drummer in a punk-metal band, experiences sudden, profound hearing loss. The film realistically portrays the impact of hearing loss on a musician’s identity, illustrating the challenges of adapting to a world without sound.

Hearing Protection Options for Musicians

Our range of high fidelity music ear plugs lower overall volume without sacrificing sound quality, meaning you can play longer and harder than ever before.

One of the most popular and effective types of hearing protection for musicians is the flat-frequency response or musician’s earplug. These earplugs are engineered to attenuate sound evenly across the frequency spectrum, meaning they reduce volume without altering the sound balance. This is particularly important for musicians who rely on specific frequencies for tuning, timing, and overall musical expression.

The Earjobs MusicMate Pro Earplug’s high fidelity music filters pass music clearly to the ear, removing distortion and echo for the cleanest live listening experience. A flexible-use plug, the MusicMate Pro is appropriate for gigs, concerts, clubs, DJs, music festivals, band practice and other noisy environments. The MusicMate Pro helps prevent long term hearing damage without compromising sound. Made from soft & rubbery silicone material, they are lightweight and comfy for extended use and barely noticeable when worn.

Another option is the EARasers Musician’s Hi-Fi Earplugs which are ideal for when you just need to turn the volume down a little bit, but still need to be able to hear clearly and without distortion. The EARasers earplug has a NRR 5 hearing protection rating, and are ideal for singers, who typically need only a small amount of protection from sound. Also great for musicians in a variety of settings - clubs, concerts, rehearsals, music students and teachers. They are nearly invisible when worn, making them a discreet choice for stage performers.

The Alpine MusicSafe Pro offers three sets of acoustic filters allowing you to choose your own level of sound attenuation. With the included gold, silver and white music filters, musicians, DJs and sound technicians have the freedom to choose between different levels of sound attenuation for various applications. These filters reduce the music volume to a safe level without compromising the music experience at all. The wearer can still communicate with their fellow musicians at a normal level, making the MusicSafe Pro invaluable during performances, or studio, concerts, rehearsals and teaching sessions.

The Etymotic Music Pro is designed for musicians who want to hear naturally, needprotection when hearing is at risk, and want to avoid the inconvenience of removing earplugs to hear. The Music Pro’s Adaptive Noise Reduction circuitry automatically adjusts output levels as sound input levels change. Hearing is natural, as if nothing is in the ears, until sound exceeds safe levels. As sound levels increase, earplugs gradually provide 9- or 15-dB sound reduction. Natural hearing is restored when sound returns to safe levels.

Protect Your Ears, Protect Your Music Career

Hearing protection isn’t an option for musicians—it’s a necessity. The tragedy of hearing loss, as seen in A Star Is Born and Sound of Metal, is preventable with the right precautions. Using good quality high-fidelity earplugs ensures that musicians can continue doing what they love without sacrificing their hearing in the process.

By investing in the right hearing protection, musicians and audio professionals can perform, create, and enjoy music without the risk of long-term hearing damage.

Music is a lifelong journey - make sure your ears are there for the ride.