The “Hear Tomorrow” Hearing Conservation Workshop offers a new approach to promoting awareness of the ever-increasing problem of noise and music-induced hearing loss. This program is specifically targeted to students studying music, music technology, audio or acoustical engineering. Because many of the principles and theories in “Hear Tomorrow” are the same as those governing music, audio and acoustics, these students have proved particularly adept at understanding this information. In addition, they are quick to understand the importance of developing their own safe listening habits, and equally quick at developing a sensitivity to the health and safety of their clients and the listening public.

 

The workshop is a one-to-two-hour presentation, including images and animations reflecting the latest in hearing research. It is divided into three distinct but interrelated units. The first unit focuses on hearing physiology, providing a basic understanding of how the ear translates acoustic energy (via hair cell transduction) into what we perceive as sound. This leads to the second unit, hearing loss, which examines the mechanics of noise-induced loss. Finally, the unit on hearing conservation examines currently accepted noise exposure limits and, ultimately, what can be done to protect hearing. We look at everything from the latest developments in “high-fidelity ear plugs” to concert in-ear monitoring systems, both of which are finding a high degree of acceptance in the professional audio and music performance industries.

 

Hear Tomorrow also offers a version of the workshop directed toward the audiology and hearing science community, called “Strategies for Teaching Hearing Awareness to Music and Sound Professionals”. This seminar presents audio and music practitioners as a special patient cohort, offering new tools and language for teaching physiology, disorders and conservation.