Musicians are four times more likely to suffer hearing damage than the general population, a new study has revealed.
The research, conducted by Help Musicians UK, showed that a further 57 percent are more likely to experience tinnitus.
In this latest survey, 78 percent of those who suffer think that being a musician was the cause. Despite this, 68 percent of musicians hadn’t had a hearing test in the last three years.
Nigel Hamilton, help and advice manager at Help Musicians UK, said: ‘We know that hearing is one of the most important tools a musician has and when we started looking into musicians’ hearing more closely we realised how fragile it can be. Noise-induced hearing loss is completely preventable but also completely irreversible and as the leading charity for musicians, we felt we had to do something.
‘We’ve launched a new section of specialist advice and information on our website and will be rolling out a nationwide campaign in 2016.’
The charity is working with musicians, experts and health care professionals to deliver its 2016 campaign.
These include the British Tinnitus Association, Musicians’ Hearing Services, the Musicians’ Union and ACS hearing protection.
Visit helpmusicians.org.uk/hearing for more information.
The research, conducted by Help Musicians UK, showed that a further 57 percent are more likely to experience tinnitus.
In this latest survey, 78 percent of those who suffer think that being a musician was the cause. Despite this, 68 percent of musicians hadn’t had a hearing test in the last three years.
Nigel Hamilton, help and advice manager at Help Musicians UK, said: ‘We know that hearing is one of the most important tools a musician has and when we started looking into musicians’ hearing more closely we realised how fragile it can be. Noise-induced hearing loss is completely preventable but also completely irreversible and as the leading charity for musicians, we felt we had to do something.
‘We’ve launched a new section of specialist advice and information on our website and will be rolling out a nationwide campaign in 2016.’
The charity is working with musicians, experts and health care professionals to deliver its 2016 campaign.
These include the British Tinnitus Association, Musicians’ Hearing Services, the Musicians’ Union and ACS hearing protection.
Visit helpmusicians.org.uk/hearing for more information.
