During the Spring residency of the National Youth Orchestra at Uppingham School in Rutland, Harley Street Hearing and Musicians’ Hearing Services collaborated with the orchestra for a Hearing Health Seminar. Led by Clinical Lead Fiona Butterworth, the seminar aimed to enlighten approximately 150 young musicians, aged between 13 and 18, about the intricacies of hearing health. This took place ahead of their much-anticipated performance at the Royal Festival Hall.
Fiona Butterworth captivated the audience with an engaging discussion, delving into topics such as hearing protection and dispelling common misconceptions.
Some of the feedback from members of the NYO highlighted the impact of the session:
“As someone passionate about music, I found it extremely beneficial to learn how to protect my hearing in the long term.”
“It’s eye-opening to realise the importance of maintaining good hearing, especially for musicians who often take it for granted.”
“This session was incredibly informative, shedding light on aspects of hearing I wasn’t aware of.”
The seminar sparked a significant shift in confidence levels regarding hearing health management. Initially, the average response to the question “how confident do you feel about managing your hearing health” was 2.8 out of 5, with most responses falling between 1 and 3 out of 5. However, by the session’s conclusion, the average response surged to 4.3 out of 5, with an overwhelming 96% feeling confident, rating 4 to 5 out of 5.
This transformation underscores the pivotal role of education and awareness in safeguarding the hearing health of young musicians. By arming them with knowledge and resources, we empower them to nurture their musical passion while prioritising their well-being.
As echoed by NYO members, it’s not just about preserving our ears—it’s about ensuring the longevity of our musical journey.
If your organisation is interested in our Hearing Health Seminars, please call us or complete below for more information.
Other articles you may be interested in:
How We Help Musicians With Hyperacusis
Reflecting on 8 Years of The Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme
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