As we slowly get started in the new year I thought I would remind everyone of ears!
Yes, hearing. 2025 sees me back out playing the drums and although this is exciting I do have some issues with my hearing so I’m off to get my 3 yearly check next month. Always quite anxiety provoking... ’what’? is being used far more than ever unfortunately.
My hearing has been battered and bruised by years of drumming, gigging and DJing. I suffer from Tinnitus and don’t want it to get any worse so I take far more precaution than ever these days. I wear bespoke moulded ear plugs and try to restrict my exposure to loud sound! Not always possible. But, I do what I can!
Loud music, whether from amps, monitors, or the crowd screaming at a gig, can wreak havoc on our ears. According to the experts, most of the damage happens so slowly, we won’t notice it until it’s too late. One day you’re smashing it at Glasto, and the next, you’re asking people to repeat themselves because everything sounds muffled. It’s not a good thing
The science behind it is pretty straightforward. Inside your ears are tiny hair cells. These hairs pick up sound vibrations and send them to your brain. When exposed to high decibel levels for extended periods, these cells get damaged or even die off. Mine first started dying during my teen years when attending very loud shoegazing gigs. My ears would ring for days after, I wish I knew then what I know now.
For us musicians, the problem is almost inevitable. Drummers are surrounded by crashing cymbals, vocalists stand in front of screaming speakers, and guitarists? Well, the louder the better, right? But here’s the thing—decibel levels at a typical concert can hit 110-120 dB. For context, that’s louder than a chainsaw and only a few steps below a jet engine.
The result? Tinnitus (that annoying ringing in your ears), noise-induced hearing loss, and in some cases, hyperacusis, where normal sounds feel painfully loud. It’s not just older musicians, either. Increasingly I hear about younger artists starting to speak out about their struggles with hearing issues.
The good news? You can take steps to protect yourself without sacrificing your sound. As I’ve said, custom earplugs are a lifesaver, cutting harmful frequencies while keeping the music clear. Noise-canceling or in-ear monitors can also help control the volume on stage. And maybe, just maybe, turn the amp down a notch during rehearsal. On a personal level I can often feel disconnected form the music when I use plugs but these days but I don’t really have much choice. It’s either feel less connected or go deaf. I know which one I am choosing.
Hearing is a musician’s most valuable tool - it’s what lets you craft melodies, dive into grooves, and connect with our audience. Losing it doesn’t just hurt our playing; it takes away the joy of music itself. So, don’t let the volume control your future. Play loud, but play smart. Your ears will thank you later.
If you want to get your own hearing checked then use this wonderful scheme offered by Help Musicians. I strongly urge everyone to get checked and use plugs. I didn’t back in the day and now suffer the consequences. No one really ever told me when I was starting out about this stuff so I feel it’s vital for all of you to learn from my mistakes.
Adam Ficek hosts a monthly show 'Tonic Music' on Totally Wired Radio, where he talks to various guests about music and mental health. You can listen again to any of the previous show on the Tonic Music Mixcloud page.
