HEALTHY TOURING 101: CLEAR HEARING + AUDIOLOGY

SMASH STAFF
Oct 2
2 min read

Pro Tips on Hearing Protection From the Experts

Our friends at Clear Hearing + Audiology have partnered with SMASH for two years, working hard to protect the ears of our musician members. They do everything from performing routine hearing tests to making custom earplugs that shield from harmful decibels, but allow musicians to hear music properly while performing and rehearsing.

The audiologists at Clear Hearing were kind enough to share their top tips for musicians, music fans, and anyone else who wants to keep their hearing in tip-top shape for as long as possible!

Your environment is likely too loud if:

You cannot hear someone 3 feet away from you, or have to shout to be heard.
Your hearing is muffled or ears are ringing (i.e., tinnitus) after leaving an event.
A sound level meter app on your phone says it is 85 decibels or higher on average. (Recommended app: NIOSH.)

You can protect your hearing by:

Turning down the volume.
Walking away or distancing yourself from the loud volume.
Use hearing protection in loud environments.

Many find earplugs convenient for rehearsals and concerts, but some are better than others:

Foam earplugs are inexpensive and widely available. (GOOD!)

They reduce volume effectively but can be uncomfortable and distort music by dampening high frequencies more than low ones. They are typically intended for single use.

Universal conical earplugs cost more than foam plugs, but remain affordable and widely available. (BETTER!)

They come in various sizes and noise reduction levels, offering more balanced sound across frequencies. Some users find them uncomfortable if between sizes.

Custom musicians' earplugs, fitted through an audiology clinic, offer superior comfort and sound quality. (BEST!)

Though more expensive upfront, they last several years and feature interchangeable filters for adjustable noise reduction in different settings.

If you are routinely exposed to high levels of sound, or notice changes in your hearing or tinnitus, reach out to an audiologist and have your hearing tested.

SMASH Musician Members: Email MemberServices@SMASHSseattle.org to set up an appointment with an audiologist. Not a SMASH member yet? Apply for membership today!