If you like your music loud, you may not be doing your ears a favor. In fact, you may be setting yourself up for a lifetime of background noise that can lead to eventual hearing loss.
But it can be prevented. And it’s simple.
Medical effects of loud noise are cumulative, say the experts. Music fans can now easily prevent “concert ears,” the ringing effect that can last for days following a loud stage show, or even permanent hearing loss, by wearing simple earplugs during the concert or specific hearing protection while performing. They will not distort the sound or lessen the enjoyment, but can help save their hearing.
MusiCares®, and The Recording Academy®, have recently launched an extensive GRAMMY® Hearing Health Initiative, offering over 60 hearing clinics at various major music festivals and events around the country. Individuals participating in MusiCares hearing clinics can receive a wide arrangement of services from hearing screening, ear impressions for custom ear plugs, education and expert advice from audiologists familiar with hearing issues and hearing health.
Upcoming summer plans include clinics hosted at; Bonnaroo, Newport Jazz Festival, Lockn’ Music Festival, Summer Fest and Van’s Warped Tour to name a few. Thousands of music people are served during these backstage events.
MusiCares has also teamed up with the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), the leading safety equipment association for manufacturers, distributors and test labs, to spread the word that protecting hearing is equally as important as feeling the beat.
ISEA works primarily with industry professionals and it supports the efforts of MusiCares, the Grammy organization’s health and human services organization, whose mission is to provide aid to music professionals in need. Protective equipment, including high quality earmuffs and devices with noise-blocking technology, is routine in the workplace, particularly for musicians. This collaboration will continue to inform those who work in the music industry about the dangers of prolonged loud noise, and encourage music people to use hearing protection to help alleviate hearing problems.
“We are delighted that ISEA is supporting us to help raise awareness of noise-induced hearing loss, and to stop it from negatively impacting people’s lives,” said Christina Cassidy of MusiCares Foundation.
About MusiCares:
Established in 1989 by The Recording Academy, MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares’ services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. For more information, please visit www.musicares.org. For breaking news and exclusive content, please “like” MusiCares on Facebook, and follow @MusiCares on Twitter and Instagram.
MusiCares Media Contacts:
Hannah Berryman, MusiCares Foundation
Phone: 310.581.8724 Email: hannah.berryman@grammy.com
Christina Cassidy, MusiCares Foundation
Phone: 310.581.8670 Email: christina.cassidy@grammy.com
About ISEA
Arlington, Va.-based ISEA is the leading trade association for personal protective equipment and technologies. Established in 1933, ISEA supports its member companies in manufacturing and marketing the highest-quality products to protect the safety and health of people who may be exposed to potentially harmful situations at work. For more information on safety equipment and technologies visit: www.safetyequipment.org, and follow @isea_safety on Twitter.
ISEA Media Contact:
Lydia Baugh, Marketing and Communications
Phone: 703.795.7038 Email: lbaugh@safetyequipment.org
Additional Hearing Protection Resources:
NIOSH- How to Wear Soft Foam Earplugs
Video- Using Disposable Earplugs
