UM’s Ear Institute and Frost School of Music Partner to Preserve the Hearing of Musicians
Recent studies indicate that student musicians aged 18-22 are at an increased risk for noise-induced hearing loss related to exposure to loud music. Armed with this knowledge, the University of Miami Ear Institute and the Frost School of Music are partnering to provide custom musician earplugs at a reduced cost to all University of Miami music students.
Spearheaded by transfer music student Nathan Curry, the earplugs reduce the intensity of sound, while preserving the quality of the music. “I think about life without having the ability to hear the music,” Curry, a Music Media and Industry major, said before having impressions made for his new earplugs.
For musicians like Nathan, who is frontman for the band Silent Trio, hearing loss resulting from prolonged exposure to loud sound is a real concern. It could lead to less ability to hear musical tones, lack of perception of timbre, distortion of balance between instruments and tinnitus (the perception of sound in the absence of it). Understanding the grave impact hearing loss can have on the life of a musician, the Ear Institute and the Frost School initiated this new program to protect the hearing of UM students.
“I have seen many patients with irreversible hearing loss caused by years of loud noise and music exposure, and today they wish they had been told about ear protection,” said Sergio Guerreiro, AuD., assistant professor of audiology, who fit Curry for his earplugs. “The Ear Institute is proud to join Nathan and the students and faculty of the Frost School of Music in helping to preserve their hearing.”
For students and faculty interested in learning more or obtaining a pair of these musician earplugs, please contact Lindsay Dwyer at 305-243-1840 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
