Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM), a national month-long holiday observance founded by the National Association for Music Education, is a program dedicated to raising awareness about the many benefits of providing high quality music education in schools. School music programs enrich students' lives both immediately and for years and years to come. During this month-long celebration of music in our schools, we at Ear Plug Superstore encourage you and your family to celebrate by playing music and singing together, attending concerts, and supporting music programs in your local schools -- all while striving to raise awareness about the importance of hearing protection for musicians.
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: The Threat for Music Students
School-age children are quickly becoming the most likely group to suffer from permanent noise-induced hearing loss. In our increasingly noisy world, with headphone and earphone usage reaching an all-time high, this isn't such a surprise. Ignoring the problem, however, is no longer an option for savvy parents.
Noise-induced hearing loss is permanent -- and so it has become not only wise but necessary to provide hearing protection for school-age children. This is especially true if your child participates in a marching band or orchestra. While inexpensive foam ear plugs will absolutely provide the much-needed protection from noise, a pair of musician's ear plugs (such as the extremely popular Etymotic ER-20's, or the new Mack's High Fidelity Ear Plugs with two sizes of fit tips) will dramatically increase the quality of sound your child can hear.
Note that college students require proper hearing protection, too. Some universities are beginning to require undergraduate students to have yearly hearing tests and education in noise-induced hearing loss topics, including the use of hearing protection devices. For older students, a set of musician's ear plugs are a very practical must-have item, and even a very good quality, high-end pair of earplugs will still only cost a fraction of what a typical college textbook costs. Students who invest in hearing protection are making a life-long investment in their hearing. It really is that simple.
Music Educators are at an Exceptionally High Risk of Hearing Loss
78% of music teachers are exposed to noise levels exceeding the safe maximum sound levels set for an OSHA controlled industrial workplace. That means an average band teacher could actually be taking in as much noise as a worker using a jackhammer for eight hours a day!
Indeed, up to 86% of music teachers have been shown to suffer from some degree of noise-induced hearing damage. This statistic represents an incredible sacrifice on the part of music educators who dedicate their time and talents to teaching students how to play and enjoy music -- at the cost of their own ability to hear.
Fortunately, awareness about the need for hearing protection among music educators is rising. This is likely due to an overall increase in hearing protection awareness, combined with an explosion of new hearing protection products created specifically for musicians that make wearing ear plugs a much more comfortable and attractive option.
As always, any hearing protection at all is better than nothing. But for music teachers, our strong suggestion is to invest in a pair of professional lab molded musician's ear plugs. These ear plugs provide Natural Sound hearing, which means minimal sound distortion and faithful sound quality don't have to be sacrificed to get that important protection from noise. Lab molded custom fit ear plugs are also the most comfortable ear plugs available, and they're incredibly durable, making them ideal for hours of daily use, from morning band rehearsal all the way to private lessons in the evening.
Until next time, be safe and love your ears.
Sarah Bergman, Web Developer
Ear Plug Superstore
More Ways to Connect With Us:
Have you done your good deed yet today? We’re donating child ear muffs to needy students. Learn more & help now: http://sharetherelief.earplugstore.com/
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