What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds in the ears without an external source. It can be temporary or permanent and is often caused by prolonged exposure to loud sounds, ear infections, or other underlying health conditions. For musicians and producers, it’s a serious concern due to constant exposure to loud environments—gigs, rehearsals, studio sessions, and teaching.
My Experience with Tinnitus
I’ve been playing for 43 years, mostly professionally, performing hundreds of gigs per year and spending countless hours teaching. That means years of exposure to loud volumes—standing near drummers, guitar amps, and playing in loud clubs. As a producer, I’ve also dealt with sharp, spiky sounds that can contribute to hearing damage.
How to Protect Your Hearing
- Invest in quality ear protection:
- I use molded earplugs (ACS -17dB filters). They are the best I’ve found, and I always keep them with me.
- In the UK, if you’re a Musicians’ Union member or get support from Help Musicians, you can get them for around £30-40.
- Never feel ashamed to wear earplugs—your hearing is your career.
- Upgrade your in-ear monitor (IEM) system:
- If you use Shure IEMs, consider the SE535s since they have less emphasis around the dangerous 3kHz area.
- Use a system with a built-in limiter to prevent unexpected spikes.
- When I teach, I use Voicemeeter with headphones, which helps control volume levels.
- Keep your tinnitus as reference and try to keep the volume below that-
- Most IEM packs and monitoring apps have limiter functions—use them.
- EQ out harsh frequencies that typically cause damage (for me, around 3kHz and 800Hz).
- Separate work from enjoyment:
- We love music, but as professionals, we need to balance it with ear health.
- Work in short sessions with breaks. Give your ears time to recover.
- Daily rest: at least one hour of silence per day.
- If your ears feel fatigued, wear earplugs for a bit to reduce strain.
- Keep your airways clear—this helps balance pressure.
- Some people find that chiropractic adjustments help; I haven’t tried it recently but worth mentioning.
- Frequency Considerations:
- Protect frequencies needed for speech intelligibility (can you find male/female speech frequency ranges?).
- Be mindful of EQ settings to avoid damaging essential frequencies.
- Healthy Habits for Tinnitus Management:
- Diet: A healthy diet can help overall well-being, which affects tinnitus.
- Physical activity: Staying active and positive helps keep your mind off tinnitus.
- Socializing: One of the most effective distractions is engaging with people. Don’t isolate yourself.
- Useful Apps:
- OTO: Helps with sound masking and tinnitus training (teaches you to ignore it).
- dB Meter: Monitors your sound exposure—aim to keep levels around 60dB.
- Meditation Apps: Help with relaxation and stress management.
- White Noise Generators: Useful for masking tinnitus.
- Best Practices for Monitoring and Production:
- Use speakers instead of headphones when possible.
- If you must use headphones, keep volumes moderate.
- Get regular hearing tests—a doctor can check for any underlying issues like pressure imbalances or a deviated septum.
Mindset and Career Approach
- Tinnitus doesn’t mean the end of music—it’s about managing it carefully.
- Be mindful of how you work and take necessary precautions.
- Avoid grind culture. Yes, we need to earn money, but overworking leads to burnout and hearing damage.
- Be financially wise: invest, save a buffer, so you can say no to gigs when you need rest.
- Balance work and enjoyment—music can be a 24/7 thing, but your ears need rest.
By being proactive and mindful, you can continue enjoying music and playing for a long time while protecting your hearing. Stay safe and take care of your ears!
