Musicians’ Hearing Loss: Defining the Problem and Designing Solutions

Abstract

Rock stars are not the only people at risk of damaging their hearing because of their musical profession: classical musicians are too. This thesis discusses the underrepresented issue of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in the classical music environment, focusing on strategies for improving the hearing safety of students and faculty in a school of music setting. In this thesis, national sound safety standards are addressed in relationship to data found at other universities. Using basic principles of sound, several suggestions are made to help lessen potentially dangerous sounds stemming from various musical environments. The goal of this research is to lay the ground work for the development and implementation of a hearing conservation program at Texas State University's School of Music. This research, however, may easily be applied to many other music programs, with the potential to help preserve the hearing of generations of musicians as good habits for hearing health are encouraged.