Ear Care and Body Injury Prevention

Causes

Playing an instrument and achieving mastery of it requires great physical effort. This physical demand includes impractical and uncomfortable postures, forceful efforts, repetitions, long-duration activities with inadequate rest. (1) The lack of physical conditioning and even nutrition serve as aggravating factors. Furthermore, musicians often abuse their bodies, forget the basic rules of ergonomics [relationship between man and the equipment he handles], and fall into the same bad habits as people who sit at a computer station. (2)

Effects

In a study carried out in two music conservatories in Spain, it was found that 93% of the instrumentalist students had suffered or were suffering from an injury. Among them were students enrolled in piano, bowed strings and guitarists, among others. (3)

Some of the most common conditions that musicians develop are:

RSIs (Repetitive Stain Injuries) = Stress Injuries
 

Repetitive include a full spectrum of conditions from tendonitis in the hand or wrist to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. (4) Simple injuries can take a musician “out of the game” long enough to result in psychological problems; another area that may be affected. In some cases an injury can end a career or result in a severe negative impact, as the task of resting the injured area or limb must be given. (5)

TMRIs = Musculoskeletal Disorders Related to Interpretation
They manifest themselves in musicians due to the large volume of rehearsals and performances that are usually necessary to achieve high levels of perfection, making the movements highly repetitive, representing an important physical load supported by the different body systems involved. (3)

Overuse Syndrome = It is a constellation of pain symptoms
Associated with an activity, and without any specific diagnosis. (1)

Focal motor dystonia= It is characterized by painless spasms and involuntary movements in the affected limb. (1) It also manifests itself in loss of muscle control in highly practiced movements. (6)
Prevention

Performance injuries are preventable. Some recommendations are advised:

Develop an awareness of these issues. Educate yourself, search, read.
Stretch the limbs and fine motor skills before, during, and after practice.
Include body stretching in your practice routine, before, during, and after it.
Write down your practice routine, so that you distribute the time and include short periods of breaks.
Be aware of your posture when you stand and when you sit; not only when you play, but also in your daily life.
Educate yourself on the correct technique for moving or lifting equipment (7) (amplifiers, marimbas, bass drums, double basses, etc.).
Modifications to the instrument may benefit and result in more ergonomic use. (5)
Eat well, exercise and above all sleep. Rest helps you recover from a good day of practice.

If you are interested in learning more about how to improve your musical performance, your posture, and even increase your physical performance, The Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music offers a class in Alexander Techniques (ALEXTECH1), which is available to all students. For more information, stop by the Registrar's Office.

Examples of Stretching Exercises

According to studies carried out between a 30% to a 50% of musicians report problems related to hearing loss. Other specialized studies have shown that classical musicians are more susceptible to hearing loss than a “rocker” due to their hours per week in rehearsals, classes and presentations. For these reasons, it is of utmost importance to know how our hearing aid works, the causes of possible loss, and the measures to take to prevent it.

The ear

This device is made up of three parts: the external ear, middle ear and inner ear.

External= It receives sound waves and sends them to the eardrum membrane.

Medium= bone channel through which sound travels and sends it internally.

Internal= It is a fluid-filled sac that is covered with bone. The cochlea is located inside the inner ear and is the hearing organ. ^iii.

Prevention

Sound has a way of measuring called the decibel. This is a unit that expresses the intensity of sound on a scale from 0 to 130, abbreviated dB. ^viii

Some common sounds and their correspondence in decibel levels: ^viii

• • 30 dB – whistling 60 dB – average conversation
  • 80 dB –an alarm clock
  • *90 dB – a blender or food processor
  • *100 dB – an MP3 at full volume
  • *130 dB –an emergency siren

*Any exhibition over 85 decibels can cause hearing loss.

Two ways to prevent hearing injuries are:

• Evaluate the acoustic conditions of your practice space.
• Use protection

The so-called “ear plugs” are an essential tool for every musician. The most economical and disposable ones can reduce up to 33 decibels of external sound.

Noise and Music

What is noise? According to the Royal Spanish Academy in a more or less strong disarticulated sound; usually unpleasant. A sound that is too loud or loud for too long is dangerous to hearing health, no matter what type of sound it is, whether it is called noise, music or something else.

Due to frequent constant sound exposure among musicians, audiology medical organizations have identified a diagnosis for this; NIHL (Noise Induced Hearing Loss). Noise-Induced Hearing Loss is caused by repetitive exposure to loud sounds for extended periods of time.

This diagnosis can be the beginning of permanent damage to the ear, providing the perfect conditions for the development of other diseases. Between them:

Tinitos= is the perception of sound in the ears or head where there is no external source present to produce it. Some call him buzz in the ears or noise in the head.

Hearing loss= it is an abnormal perception of the register of sound frequencies, losing hearing sensitivity.

REFERENCES

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• Hansen, & Reed, K. (2006). Common Musculoskeletal Problems in the Performing Artist. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America.
• Mitchell, (2010). A Painful Melody: Repetitive Strain Injury Among Musicians. www.Working-well.org
• Santasmarinas, , Pereira, P. & Vidal, A. (2010). Musculoskeletal disorders (TMRIs) in high school and university student instrumental musicians. Journal of Research in Education. Pontevedra.
• Harvard (2000). What is RSI? Harvard RSI www.rsi.deas.harvard.edu
• Heinan, M. (2008). A Review of the Unique Injuries Sustained by Journal of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants.
• DMRF (2010). Focal Hand Dystonia Medical Research Foundation.
• HPSM (2004). Health Promotion in School of Music conference.
• Performing Arts Medicine Association pama.org

I HPSM (2004). Recommendation 3. Health Promotion in School of Music conference.

Iii Hill,L. (2012). Musicians, from school bands to symphonies, risk hearing loss. The Kansas City Star

III American Hearing Research Foundation. (2012). hearing loss.

CareNotes in Spanish. Truven Health Analytics Inc.

IV NASM. (2011). Protect Your Hearing Every Day. Information and Recommendations for Student Musicians.

V Jansen, E., Helleman, H., Drescgler, W., Laat, J. (2008). Noise Induced Hearing Loss and Other Hearing Complaints Among Musicians of Symptoms Phony Orchestra. Occupational Environment Health.

I saw ATA. (2012). What is Tinnitus. American Tinnitus Association.

VII NASM. (2011). Basic Information on Hearing Health. Information and Recommendations for Faculty and Staff in Schools of Music.