Hearing is important because it connects us to the world around us and allows us to communicate with our loved ones. But for musicians, hearing is also their livelihood, which is why it’s important to protect it. Below we review how we hear, how loud noises causes damage to our hearing and how musicians can protect their most valuable asset.
How Do We Hear?
Within the ear are tiny hairs called stereocilia. As soundwaves pass through the ear, stereocilia convert them into electrical energy. This electrical energy then travels via the auditory nerve to the brain to be interpreted as sound. Once this occurs, the process of hearing is complete.
How Loud Is Too Loud?
If dangerously loud sounds pass through the ears, it can damage or destroy the stereocilia, resulting in permanent sensorineural hearing loss. Any sound over 85 dB can cause damage to the stereocilia with enough exposure.
Below are some common everyday sounds and their decibel outputs for reference:
- Whispering: 30 dB
- Refrigerator: 40 dB
- Dishwasher: 45-65 dB
- Conversation: 65-80 dB
- Lawnmower: 80-100 dB
- Movie theater: 70-104 dB
- Motorcycle: 80-110 dB
- Sports event: 94-110 dB
- Headphones: 96-110 dB
- Rock concert: 95-115 dB
- Sirens: 110-129 dB
- Fireworks: 140-160 dB
Note that whether listening to music through headphones or attending a live concert at Golden Nugget Lake Charles, you can permanently damage your ears if you’re not practicing safe listening.
What to Look for in Musician’s Earplugs
If you’re a musician, it’s important to wear hearing protection when playing or listening to music to preserve your hearing health. Musician’s earplugs are specially designed for enjoying music at a safe volume without sacrificing sound quality.
Below is a list of what to look for in a pair of musician’s earplugs:
- They should reduce the volume. Hearing protection that doesn’t actually reduce the volume of loud music is useless. Make sure your earplugs lower the volume to a comfortable level.
- They should preserve music quality. If your earplugs distort music or decrease the sound quality, you won’t be likely to actually use them. Make sure you can still enjoy the music while wearing your earplugs.
- They should be comfortable. For maximum comfort and protection, visit Hearing Center of Lake Charles for custom-molded musician’s earplugs.
For more information or to schedule an appointment to get your custom pair of musician’s plugs, call Hearing Center of Lake Charles today!