For musicians, hearing is central to both work and enjoyment. Yet growing research suggests that the very thing musicians love may put them at significantly higher risk for a common and often frustrating hearing condition: tinnitus.
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is present. People commonly describe it as ringing in the ears, but it can also sound like buzzing, humming, hissing, roaring, or even chirping. For some, it is an occasional annoyance. For others, it can become a persistent condition that affects concentration, sleep, emotional well-being, and quality of life.
A recent review published in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, AAO-HNSF) examined dozens of studies involving more than 28,000 musicians worldwide and found a striking difference between musicians and non-musicians. Researchers reported that approximately 43% of musicians experienced tinnitus, compared with only about 13% of people who were not musicians. That means musicians were more that three times as likely to experience tinnitus symptoms.
These findings suggest tinnitus may be one of the most common occupational hazards associated with a life in music. Many people assume only rock musicians or performers playing amplified music are at risk. Surprisingly, researchers found that classical musicians had similar risks. This suggests that the issue extends beyond simply turning the volume up too high.
Factors such as years of musical exposure, rehearsal schedules, instrument type, room acoustics, and where musicians sit during performances may all influence risk. Repeated exposure to elevated sound levels — even levels not perceived as uncomfortably loud — can place stress on the auditory system over time.
One concern is that musicians often normalize symptoms. Ringing in the ears after a concert or rehearsal may be brushed off as “part of the job.” Temporary tinnitus after loud sound exposure can seem harmless, but recurring episodes may signal that the auditory system is incurring damage. Another challenge is that tinnitus can develop gradually until the point is reached where it’s constant, rather than just after noise exposure.
Tinnitus can also occur even when a hearing test appears normal. Some people experience difficulty hearing in noisy environments or notice persistent tinnitus despite having no obvious hearing loss on standard testing.
The encouraging news is that prevention strategies exist. Specialized musician earplugs can lower sound exposure while preserving sound quality, and routine hearing monitoring may help identify changes early.
For musicians, protecting hearing is not about hearing less—it is about preserving the ability to enjoy and create music for years to come.
Whether you’d just like a baseline test or you’re concerned about your hearing, give Hear Inc. a call at 778-426-4876.
Donna Stewart, Audiologist/Owner
