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World Hearing Day serves as an annual reminder of the importance of ear and hearing care, and this year’s theme focuses on changing mindsets towards hearing health.

The conversation around hearing protection has been gaining momentum, and I’ve personally seen a marked increase in musicians taking proactive steps to safeguard their hearing. More musicians are visiting our clinics than ever before, which is a promising sign that awareness campaigns and education efforts are making an impact.

For years, the music industry has been plagued by a ‘grin and bear it’ approach to hearing damage. Many musicians assumed that hearing loss was an inevitable part of their profession. However, with advancements in hearing protection and greater accessibility to tailored solutions, this perception is shifting.

Prevention is better than cure, and we are seeing musicians actively seeking advice on how to protect their hearing before damage occurs.

The Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme: protecting musicians nationwide

The Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme, supported by the Musicians’ Union, continues to play a crucial role in this transformation.

The scheme provides musicians with access to expert hearing assessments, advice on how to protect your ears, and custom hearing protection at an affordable cost, making it easier than ever for musicians to prioritise their hearing health.

Over the past year, we’ve continued to expand our hub coverage, ensuring that even more musicians across the UK can access specialist hearing care. This expansion means fewer barriers to protection and better overall support for musicians navigating their careers without compromising their hearing.

The latest in hearing protection: what’s new?

Hearing protection technology continues to evolve, with new developments ensuring that musicians can hear with clarity while keeping their ears safe.

Devices such as the latest in-ear monitors and filtered earplugs provide superior sound fidelity while reducing harmful noise exposure. In particular, advancements in active noise control and digital earplugs allow musicians to customise their protection to their specific environment, whether they are performing, rehearsing, or teaching.

Apple’s AirPods Pro 2, for example, have introduced advanced adaptive noise control features that automatically adjust to high-noise environments. The timing of this article couldn’t be more perfect as these features went live at the end of February 2025.

While not a replacement for professional hearing protection, these types of innovations highlight the increasing mainstream recognition of the need for better hearing care.

Practical tips: how you can protect your hearing

To reinforce the ‘prevention is better than cure’ message, here are some essential steps that you can take to safeguard your hearing:

1. Use custom hearing protection: invest in custom-moulded earplugs with professional-grade filters that reduce harmful noise without compromising sound quality.

2. Take listening breaks: give your ears time to recover by taking breaks between rehearsals, performances, and studio sessions.

3. Monitor sound levels: use decibel-measuring apps or sound level meters to ensure that noise exposure stays within safe limits.

4. Position yourself wisely: When performing, try to position yourself away from direct speaker output to reduce sound pressure on your ears.

5. Get regular hearing check-ups: early detection of hearing changes can prevent long-term damage. Musicians should schedule annual hearing assessments to monitor their hearing health.

Looking ahead: a culture shift in hearing health

The shift in mindset towards hearing protection is encouraging, but there is still work to be done. As more musicians adopt preventative measures and invest in hearing care, we hope to see a long-term reduction in noise-induced hearing loss within the industry.

This World Hearing Day, let’s continue spreading the message that hearing health is non-negotiable. With the right knowledge, tools, and support, musicians can sustain long and fulfilling careers without compromising their hearing.

The Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme remains committed to ensuring that every musician has access to the protection they need - because good hearing health is essential for great music.

World Hearing Day 2025 takes place on Monday 3 March. This year’s theme focuses on changing mindsets towards ear and hearing care, inviting individuals of all ages to empower themselves to ensure healthy ears and hearing for all.

Read MU member and bass player Gary Toogood’s experience of using custom fitted ear protection, and apply for the Musicians' Hearing Health Scheme yourself below.  Noise induced hearing loss is 100% irreversible but is 100% preventable.

Find out more and apply

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Matthew Allsop

Matthew Allsop is an Audiologist, having studied at The University of Manchester under the UK’s leaders in the Human Communication and Deafness field. He is also currently one of the Partners at Harley Street Hearing & Musicians’ Hearing Services. Since beginning his career in audiology in 2008, Matthew has amassed extensive experience in both the NHS and the private sector, having worked with some of the finest clinicians in the UK and alongside London’s most qualified audiovestibular physicians and Ear Nose and Throat surgeons. He is also the content creator for Hearing Tracker on YouTube, the world’s first truly independent resource for hearing aid customers.

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