Q: My husband and I own a club located in New York City. When I work the bar, there are four very large speakers mounted directly behind me. On most nights I leave with my ears feeling full and they buzz well into the next day. Is this going to cause any long-term damage to my ears? If so, what could I do to protect myself?
A: Clubs and bars are notoriously loud. So loud, in fact, that the Mayor of New York City has introduced measures to keep the decibels from these establishments (and other acoustic irritants) at bay. What you describe is not uncommon. We have all left a loud club with our ears feeling dull and buzzing for a day or so. This is a sign that the sensory hair cells in our inner ears have been put into overdrive. Usually, after a day or so, things return to normal. This is known as a Temporary Threshold Shift (TTS). But over time and multiple overexposures to loud sounds, this temporary change in hearing becomes permanent. The buzzing you describe is called tinnitus and is often a by-product of damage to those inner ear hair cells. For millions of people, tinnitus is an ever-present intrusion that can significantly affect their overall well-being.
There is a simple way to reduce your chances of sustaining any ear damage from your work: turn down the volume from the speakers. Knowing this is not often the desirable solution, earplugs are your best bet. Although over-the-counter foam plugs will do the trick, they make it difficult to hear what others around you are saying. A better option is a plug made specifically for musicians. This is packaged in two forms: 1) generic, which you can pick up at any music store for under $15 and 2) custom fit, which will cost you around $150. For the custom plugs you will need to find an audiologist in your area to make molds of your ears. Both options offer you the protection you need and you shouldn't miss any orders at the bar. One final note, it might be worthwhile for you to offer this information to your employees. Better yet, present them with a gift of earplugs at your next staff meeting. Like you, they are exposed to an occupational hazard and will benefit from your insight.
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