Musicians’ Hearing Health in Classical magazine

Paul Checkley – Clinical Director at Harley Street Hearing and Musicians’ Hearing Services was interviewed on the Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme and how it came about.

How well do musicians tend to get on with hearing protection? “The problem is that you are putting something in the ear.  A musician who has had a career of open ears can find that quite difficult, and it does take some practice to make these earplugs work for you.  With a trombone player, for example, they can hear the sound they are making with their mouth as well as the sound coming out of the end of their instrument.  Musicians’ earplugs can minimise this effect, but it will never be the same.  To some extent it has to sound a bit different in order to work.”

Paul adds: “There are people who aren’t quite aware that there are earplugs designed specifically for musicians.  Most hearing protection will reduce high frequencies rather than low, but specialist hearing protection will retain the fidelity so it doesn’t sound different, just quieter.  You don’t get the dullness you can get with foam earplugs.”

Click on the article below to see the full interview.

If you’d like to apply for the Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme click here