Musician or avid listener, chances are your hearing has been through some tough times over the years. What many people don't realise is that regular exposure to loud music can cause long-term damage. That doesn't mean ditching the guitar - hearing protection for musicians exists, and there are several practical steps you can take to reduce your noise exposure.

1. Wear earplugs

There is now an extensive range of earplugs designed for specific uses. Just as there are earplugs made for construction workers, there are earplugs made for musicians and DJs, using filters that lower the overall volume while keeping the music intelligible rather than muffled. If you cannot get musician-specific plugs, standard earplugs are still better than nothing. See our musicians hearing protection range.

2. Take regular breaks

Duration matters as much as volume. Where possible, reduce the time your ears spend exposed to loud music by taking regular breaks through a session. The same applies to anyone wearing headphones all day, or spending a weekend at a festival.

3. Check volume levels

Get into the habit of checking levels. A dB meter will do it, and there are smartphone apps that give a reasonable indication.

4. Use good sound equipment

Better speakers and headphones give a cleaner frequency response, which usually means you need less volume to hear detail. Keep checking that you are running them at a sensible level.

5. Have your hearing tested

Hearing changes naturally with age. If you have spent years around loud music and have concerns, have your hearing tested. A certified hearing professional can tell you where things stand and advise on managing your exposure going forward.

Want to know more about hearing protection for musicians? Call us on 1300 425 496, browse the musicians range, or read our guide to how music filters work.