![\"Musician](\"https:\/\/sharphearingcenter.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/musician-playing-hearing-monitors.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWithin the ears are tiny hair cells called stereocilia, which are responsible for converting soundwaves into electrical energy that the brain interprets as sound. When dangerously loud sounds pass through the ears, they can damage or destroy these cells. This damage can result in noise-induced hearing loss<\/a>, and it can cause the cells to misfire, triggering tinnitus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With enough exposure, sounds over 85 dB can cause damage the auditory system. The longer you\u2019re exposed, the quicker the damage can occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Musicians both listen to music through headphones frequently and play live shows with loud speakers and screaming fans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For musicians, tinnitus can have an especially difficult emotional toll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is largely due to the fact that music is their livelihood, and tinnitus can make it difficult to perceive music the way they once did. Tinnitus can feel like a threat to their passion and career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, tinnitus can be prevented in many cases by wearing hearing protection. If someone spent years not wearing protection, they could have feelings of guilt or regret.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Huey Lewis of Huey Lewis & the News chose to speak out about his experience with tinnitus caused by Meniere\u2019s disease. \u201cThere was literally a roaring tinnitus in my head. I just laid in bed. There was nothing I could do. I\u2019d just lay in bed and contemplate my demise,\u201d Lewis said in an interview with Rolling Stone<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy Are Musicians Especially at Risk?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Emotional Toll of Tinnitus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
One Musician\u2019s Personal Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n