Factors Influencing Use of Hearing Protection by Trumpet Players

Abstract

Although a great many brass players, and trumpet players in particular, successfully use high-fidelity earplugs, others report problems with their use. This article discusses factors that may discourage a brass player from using hearing protection: These include (a) a lack of acclimatization time; (b) a loss of "fortissimo blare" from the aural distortion generated by the 110-to 120-dB SPL produced at the open ear with fortissimo playing; (c) a shallow earmold seal, leading to a large occlusion effect; (d) a poor seal combined with incorrect acoustic mass in the sound channel; and (e) hearing loss where many harmonic overtones of even moderately loud playing may become inaudible with earplugs to a lifelong trumpet player with highfrequency hearing loss. The limitations imposed by each of these can usually be overcome with modifications of the hearing protection device (HPD) or with acclimatization time, allowing a lifetime of playing without the all-too-common "musicians' hearing loss" and/or tinnitus. A review of these factors helps to delineate some of the perceptual issues that musicians may have with any change in the spectrum of their instrument-whether it is related to attenuation or amplification.

Hearing Loss, Earplug Use, and Attitudes to Hearing Protection Among Non-Orchestral Ensemble Musicians

“…In contrast to the pipe musicians, brass musicians showed a lack of risk awareness and nearly negligible hearing conservation practices. It is often reported that brass players experience difficulties with earplugs related to occlusion, or the predominance of the musicians' own buzzing and articulation noises produced while playing due to the covering of the ear canal [21,22]. Indeed both the orchestral and band-based brass players in this study reported difficulty with earplugs and poor uptake, providing yet further evidence of the problems faced by brass players.…”

“…This includes the making of deeply fitting custom-moulded earplugs as discussed and demonstrated by Killion and Chasin [22,23], which significantly reduces the impact of this problem for brass players. Like their orchestral counterparts, brass musicians playing in bands will need to combine well-fitting earplugs with dedicated practice to develop the skill of playing with earplugs [21].…”

Exposure to music and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) among professional pop/rock/jazz musicians

“…Although musicians have the power and ability to protect themselves from the risks of NIHL, they are not always consciously ready, socially willing or professionally able to reduce their harmful exposure to amplified music, due to the fact that the use of hearing protection can sometimes hinder the quality of performance. [ 19 20 ] Huttunen et al . [ 19 ] found ear plug use low among 15 classical musicians due to hampered listening to their own and to their colleagues’ playing.…”

Hearing Loss Prevention Education Using Adopt-a-Band: Changes in Self-Reported Earplug Use in Two High School Marching Bands

“…The use of musician earplugs by those who play brass instruments has been discussed by Killion (2012).…”

“…This is a challenge acknowledged by several investigators (Laitinen, 2005;Mendes et al, 2007;Santoni & Fiorini, 2010;Zander et al, 2008). It is possible that longer adaptation periods would improve outcomes (as suggested by Killion, 2012). Encouraging participants to try a longer adjustment period on the basis of potential improvements over time might motivate participants to maintain earplug use over a longer trial period.…”