subject: Seven Simple Hearing Loss Prevention Tips For Djs [print this page] While DJs used to be cheesy figures at weddings and bar mitzvahs more than international rock star replacements, these days, just as many kids are hankering for turntables and fancy software as there are begging for electric guitars. And for those who have been in the game for a long time, spending countless hours in clubs with headphones cranked to hear the pre-cueing means that chances are, ears are a bit worn out. While musicians might get cautioned over and over again about exposing themselves to loud noises for years at a time, DJs sometimes don't get the same warnings--and hearing is known to suffer as a result.
For aspiring young DJs, old-school old-timers, or those who are simply throwing on tracks for extra money on the weekends, here are seven simple hearing loss prevention tips. After all, if one's business is music, then being able to hear it clearly is pretty crucial.
#1 - Know when to take breaks. If the club is pumping music at 120 or 140 decibels, then anything more than seven hours without a break is going to cause some serious damage, the kind that is irreversible. And for those who are playing out all of the time, this means that it is only a matter of time before hearing starts to suffer. Try to duck outside somewhere quieter for a break every couple of hours. If you're worried about dropping the beat, just throw on a longer time and ask a friend to oversee the controls in the meantime.
#2 - Invest in earplugs. This goes for DJs, club owners, club goers, and anyone who goes out a lot. There is no reason to not invest in a decent, subtle pair of earplugs, especially considering the amount that they manage to do to prevent hearing loss. And for DJs who are worried about not being able to hear the subtleties of sounds in headphones, consider the fact that there are earplugs designed for musicians that combat this problem, and that having on some headphones means no one will even know if you're wearing earplugs or not.
#3 - Don't blast music when not at work. Here's a simple way to cut down on damage: don't crank up the stereo for hours at home, or listen to music far too loud in headphones while not in the club. There's no reason to subject one's ears to more trouble than they're already in for.
#4 - Protect your hearing while out and not playing. Whether seeing a band or checking out a friend's set, there's no reason to not keep those earplugs in while out in nightlife situations. Take good care of your hearing before it goes away, and you might find yourself with more work in the future, too.
#5 - Keep your pre-cuing levels lower. Sure, it might be tough to hear over the roar of the crowd, but that's what a monitor is for. If you don't crank the noises right next to your ear, you'll have a whole lot less ringing happening at the end of the night.
#6 - Check up on your hearing. Not sure if there's actually anything to worry about? A hearing test will manage to place where the trouble is, and might offer suggestions as to whether or not minimizing the low end makes more sense for the health of one's ears, or if the trouble is simply the volume level.
#7 - Never use earbuds. They provide absolutely no protection or sound canceling, and pump sounds directly to the most sensitive part of the ear. They are to be avoided at all costs!
