Why Musicians Should Prioritise Hearing Health

If you’re regularly rehearsing, gigging, or working in a music recording studio in Bristol, protecting your hearing is one of the smartest investments you can make.

Ever heard of a musician who lost their hearing? Unfortunately, it’s more common than you’d think. From Dave Grohl to Danny Elfman, many artists have spoken out about tinnitus and hearing damage—lifelong issues caused by extended exposure to dangerously loud sound levels.

A standard live venue or rehearsal space in Bristol can easily hit between 100–110 decibels. For context, that’s about the same as a jet engine or chainsaw. Without protection, just 15 minutes at those levels can start to cause permanent damage.

Hearing Protection is Now Standard

The good news? Hearing protection has finally become a normal part of the gig bag—whether you’re performing live, rehearsing with your band, or tracking in the studio.

At Factory Studios, we’re proud to support this shift. We regularly host pop-up sessions with South West Hearing, a Bristol-based audiologist specialising in custom ear protection for musicians.

Custom Ear Moulds via the Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme

Through the Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme, a partnership between Help Musicians and the Musicians’ Union, professional musicians in the UK can access custom ear protection and full hearing assessments at a significantly discounted rate.

These sessions provide high-fidelity moulded earplugs that reduce sound evenly across frequencies—so you still get a clear, musical experience, without the long-term risks.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Whether you’re working out new material in a rehearsal space in Bristol, or recording your next release in a music recording studio in Bristol, looking after your hearing is one of the best ways to protect your future in music.

To find out more about our next audiologist pop-up or how to access the scheme, get in touch with us today.

Southwest Hearing

Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme