Is Music Damaging Your Ears?
Hearing is one of our most important senses. It helps us to hold conversations, enjoy our surroundings, and allows us to play and enjoy music.
But the ear is both complex and fragile - and this is why we have to look after it!
Sound is measured in units called Decibels (Db). The higher the decibel level, the louder the noise. It’s well documented that listening to prolonged sounds over 85db can damage human hearing...
That ringing that you hear when a concert ends? That’s the sound of stressed and dying hair cells inside the ear. And although the ringing goes away, the damage is still there.
(Not so) fun fact: Tinnitus (hissing/ringing/buzzing sounds that are not from an external source) is 57% more likely in musicians.
This is where earplugs can help.
History of Hearing Protection
Earplugs have been around for centuries. In fact, the earliest trace of earplug use goes back to Ancient Greek literature (850 BC) - when Odysseus used beeswax to plug his ears whilst out at sea.
Beeswax, wool and cotton were the earliest forms of ear plugs, and until the 1900s, there was a generally accepted theory that hearing loss could be prevented by developing a tolerance to loud noise. Crazy!
Although the first patent for earplugs was obtained in the 1800s, the first earplugs were manufactured in 1907 by Max Newgar and his company Ohropax. These earplugs were sold to factory workers, soldiers and hospital patients. Ohropax is still going strong today.
In 1915, Mallock-Armstrong Earplugs were used by the Navy, which included a ‘scoop’ to clean out the ear after use. The scoop was said to cause as much damage as the sound from gunfire if used incorrectly.
This led to the development of earmuffs to protect from the sound of jet engines - but these were originally way too tight on peoples heads and led to acute headaches. This issue was resolved in 1954 when fluid filled cushions were developed. Comfy!
Earplugs first became comfortable in 1962 with ‘Mack’s Pillow Soft Earplugs’ - the first ones to be made from mouldable silicone.
1972 saw the first memory foam ear plugs (similar to the ones you now get for free at clubs and festivals), and there are now endless options when it comes to hearing protection.
To watch my new video about hearing protection click here.
Which earplugs do I use?
Over the years, I’ve tried many types of earplugs. But I recently discovered a company called Minuendo and their earplugs have been a game changer...
Launched in 2018, Minuendo earplugs are designed and manufactured in Norway for musicians and music lovers, with the highest focus on natural sound quality.
They are the world's only earplugs with a variable passive hifi filter - this means that you can make precise adjustments using the dial, from 7db (great for practice sessions) to 25 db (perfect for gigs), whilst staying fully protected. The audio-engineer approved hifi filter also eliminates any unnecessary noise and distortion.
Minuendo earplugs are lossless, due to their patented membrane technology - this means that the sound quality never decreases, only the sound volume. They’re ideal for musicians who want (and need) to hear music in great detail, whilst protecting their ears.
You can grab a pair of Minuendo earplugs here: https://www.soundbrenner.com/shop-minuendo
Remember, it’s never too early or late to start protecting your ears.
You can get more from me (including music every month!) at: https://www.patreon.com/hannahtrigwell