Do violinists suffer from hearing loss?

One study from the 1990s found that violinists and violists have more hearing loss in their left ear compared to their right ear. This loss of hearing is caused by the musician's own instruments, as the violin is placed under the chin with the left ear almost touching the instrument.
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Do violinists wear ear plugs?

They must be fitted to your ear specifically, as they fit in there like a hearing aid. I have found earplugs to be a lifesaver during loud gigs, and I've also occasionally used them at home for practicing, though using a mute also can work.
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Do musicians suffer hearing loss?

Professional musicians are almost four times as likely to develop noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) as the general public, reveals research. And they are 57% more likely to develop tinnitus—incessant ringing in the ears—as a result of their job, the findings show.
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Do violinists get tinnitus?

Many musicians suffer from hearing loss and tinnitus. Hearing loss or tinnitus can result from the booming drums or the blaring guitar amplifiers of a hard-rock group. But it can also result from the violin or the piccolo flute of a symphony orchestra.
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Are musicians more likely to go deaf?

It's a rock adage that if the music's too loud, you're too old, but a new study finds that all that sound adds up: Professional musicians are almost four times more likely to suffer noise-induced hearing loss than other people.
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Hearing loss | violin and Her



How do musicians not go deaf?

Research suggests that 30 to 50 percent of musicians have hearing problems. To better protect their hearing, many musicians wear earplugs that are specially designed for people who play music. Musicians' earplugs let a person hear all of the music, but at a lower sound level.
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How do musicians protect their ears?

What's A Musician to Do?
  1. Use customized earplugs designed specially for you as a musician;
  2. Have your hearing checked regularly to identify any possible changes;
  3. Give your ears regular breaks from the music;
  4. Turn down the volume;
  5. Use in-ear personal monitors on stage and in rehearsal so you only hear the monitor mix;
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Is violin very loud?

If you're anticipating a violin performance onstage or in the studio, you're probably wondering how loud you can play a violin An acoustic violin by itself isn't always loud compared to other instruments and is not the loudest instrument in the orchestra. At full volume, an acoustic violin can range from 78 to 95 dB.
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Do all musicians get tinnitus?

Tinnitus is fairly common among the general population, affecting approximately 10-15% of people, but for musicians, this number is much higher: between 30% and 50% by some estimates.
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How many musicians get tinnitus?

Tinnitus among musicians: How common? Published studies vary a bit, but the general consensus is that somewhere between 30 and 50% of musicians have experienced some degree of tinnitus. This increased prevalence is largely due to higher rates of noise-induced hearing loss amongst people in the music industry.
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Do all musicians go deaf?

Professional musicians are four times nearly more likely to suffer from deafness caused by exposure to loud noise than the general population, a new study has shown. Whether playing in rock bands or in an orchestra, career musicians are also 57 per cent more likely to develop tinnitus.
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What musician went deaf?

Beethoven first noticed difficulties with his hearing decades earlier, sometime in 1798, when he was about 28. By the time he was 44 or 45, he was totally deaf and unable to converse unless he passed written notes back and forth to his colleagues, visitors and friends.
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How many musicians lose hearing?

Classical musicians are at extreme risk for hearing loss. A Finnish study among classical musicians found that 15 percent of the musicians in the study suffered from permanent tinnitus, in comparison to 2 percent among the general population.
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How do I protect my ears when playing violin?

Use your earplugs even when practicing or rehearing alone. Violins decibel levels fall between 84 and 103. The vibrations and decibels coming from the violin right by your ear will be on the higher end. Protect your hearing at all times.
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How loud is a violin in decibels?

The violin and viola produce decibel levels in excess of 90 dB(A) for their players. These levels are similar to those of a rock concert. They also well exceed the 85 dB(A) limit that European regulations stipulate for the compulsory wearing of ear protection on the work floor.
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Is a violin shoulder rest necessary?

It's true in life and it's true with playing the violin and viola. Violinists and violists use shoulder rests to help support the instrument and to keep it in a stable, comfortable position so that you're not twisting your neck and shoulders, which can lead to all sorts of physical problems.
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Do any celebrities have tinnitus?

Actress and singer Barbra Streisand has lived with tinnitus since age nine.
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Do famous musicians have tinnitus?

Pete Townshend (The Who)

With a career that spans over 50 years, his ears have suffered quite some damage. Townshend suffers from tinnitus as a result of his extensive exposure to loud music.
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Can tinnitus go away?

Tinnitus can't be cured. But tinnitus usually doesn't continue forever. There will be a large number of factors that will establish how long your tinnitus will stick around, including the primary cause of your tinnitus and your general hearing health.
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Is violin higher than guitar?

In general, a violin is going to be playing in a higher register than a guitar.
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Is it good to practice violin with mute?

Disclaimer: Don't practice with a mute all the time!

Your 'situation normal' on the violin should be to play without mute. Your bowing and tone creation skills should be based on the normal sound of the violin. A mute muffles away little mistakes and you might start playing too rough or too loud.
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What makes a good violinist?

Superior hearing - sensitivity for sound quality, intonation, and a natural way of hearing/feeling/understanding the musical implications of harmony and how it affects the drama of a work. Rhythm - organic sense of pacing, knowing how a tempo relates to the character and structure of the piece you are playing.
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Does violin hurt your ears?

Cymbals, piccolo, flute and violins can all damage your ears when played at their maximum volume. Trombone, cello, clarinet, piano and the oboe can also produce sounds above 85 dB.
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Why do musicians wear ear plugs?

For musicians, great hearing protection is essential to protect their way of life. Since IEMs go directly into the ear canal, they offer earplug-like protection from the outside. These protect performers from being exposed to loud band sounds and shouts from the crowd.
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Can piano damage hearing?

So, can piano cause hearing loss? While not typical, playing the piano can in fact cause hearing loss. The hearing damage a pianist might suffer from revolves around many factors.
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