Musicians' Hearing

Developing Sound Strategies for Hearing
Measurement and Protection

Part of the RCM Hearing Awareness Scheme (since 2005)

Musicians and non-musicians are susceptible to work-related hearing damage from sound. Unlike other professions, however, the sound musicians create is not a by-product of their work - it is their product. This distinction makes musicians a difficult, special case when it comes to determining what noise regulations should apply to them.

This project aims to (1) determine the prevalence and type of hearing loss among musicians,  (2) measure the level of noise to which musicians are exposed when rehearsing and performing and understand its effects on hearing, and (3) inform how musicians (and their employers) can comply with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations.

For further information, including details of published reports, navigate via the right-hand menu or email Aaron Williamon (awilliamon@rcm.ac.uk).