We are proud to have been an industry partner at the ECMAs this year, a fantastic event that celebrated the best in the music industry on the East Coast of Canada. It was a privilege for Ian to attend and take part in a panel discussion alongside local musicians Wade Pinhorn and Tanya Alexander.

The panel focused on the critical topic of hearing healthcare as it relates to the music industry, with a particular emphasis on hearing conservation and damage prevention.

During the discussion, Ian, Wade, and Tanya explored the importance of hearing health in the music industry and how musicians, sound engineers, and fans alike are often exposed to damaging sound levels.

They shared valuable insights into safe exposure limits, the significance of early prevention, and how to protect one's hearing while still enjoying and working in an industry where sound is at the heart of everything.

Photo courtesy of East Coast Music Association

Did you know that 85 dB is the safe exposure limit for an 8-hour span? Anything above that level requires hearing protection. For every 3 dB increase in volume, safe exposure time is halved. For example, at 88 dB, the safe exposure time is only 4 hours, and at 91 dB, it drops to just 2 hours.

At a rock concert (~110 dB), the safe amount of time without hearing protection would be 1 minute 52 seconds before damage may occur. This is a staggering fact that reinforces the importance of hearing protection for those working in loud environments, like the music industry.

In addition to the panel, Ian was interviewed by Melissa Tobin from CBC Radio One, where he discussed his personal journey from a lifelong love of music to his involvement in the hearing industry.

In the interview, he shared his passion for hearing conservation, highlighting the growing awareness of hearing damage in the music community and why it’s more important than ever to educate individuals on the risks of noise-induced hearing loss.

One of the highlights of the event was the hearing screenings provided by Ian and fellow Maico audiologist Nicole for the ECMA delegates.

Throughout the afternoon, we received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from attendees who greatly appreciated this vital service.

Many people noted how important it was, especially at an event centred around music, to have the opportunity to check the health of their hearing.

Delegates were able to ask questions about their hearing and were provided personalized recommendations based on their exposure and screening results.

This service gave attendees peace of mind and practical advice on how to protect their hearing moving forward.

We are grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to the ECMAs, raise awareness about hearing conservation, and engage with the music community on such an important issue.

We look forward to continuing our efforts to make a lasting impact on the industry and help safeguard the hearing of those who make the music we love!

If you’d like to take a listen to Ian’s interview with CBC, you can find it here: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-72-weekend-am/clip/16149110-controlling-volume