LONDON - For the audience to a classical concert, it is the high spot of the performance. The cymbals crash, the strings soar - and then there is the cannon. But for the musicians, Tchalkovsky’s 1812 Overture (Read more about the piece here) is almost guaranteed to induce deafness.

A new report from the Association of British Orchestras (ASB) claims that the big bangs in many famous works are seriously damaging the hearing of professional musicians, the independent newspaper said.

It said an advisory committee of musicians, orchestra executives and venue managers would be examining the findings and drawing up a plan of action to reduce the risk.

Musicians say works such as Wagner’s Ride Of The Valkyries and Stravinsky’s The Rite Of Spring can be loud enough to exceed European law on safe noise levels at work. The problem is getting worse because modern instruments - notably brass - sound bigger and bolder, while orchestras have become louder. Audiences also expect a big sound.

The ASB report, funded by the European Commission, makes it clear that the situation is dangerous and requires action.

The author, Ms Alison Wright Reld, a former BBC health-and-safety expert, has spent the past 18 months analysing all available scientific data. She said the review had made the case much stronger than before.

It is due to be published at Christmas, after discussion with the industry.

An idea had prevailed that “music” was less harmful than “noise," she said. But the research showed that damage could be caused even if the sound was enjoyable, and hence categorised as music.

Musicians hated some of the most obvious solutions, such as ear-plugs, because they affected sensitivity. “There are other occupations where people need to be able to hear what they’re doing, but not to the same extent as orchestras,” she was quoted as saying.

Musicians with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Philharmonic, who volunteered to take part in ear-plug trials five years ago, complained that the devices were uncomfortable and prevented them from hearing the rest of the orchestra.

But Wright said there were other options. Spacing the players further away from each other and at different heights would help, she said.

“People have been presented with pretty unpalatable solutions in the past. It’s better to have a solution that is sligtly imperfect, but is routinely applied than something that is brilliant, but hardly ever done.”

Ms Pauline Dalby, health and safety officer for the Musicians’ Union in Britain, said members were worried about hearing damage.

The union is carrying out trials of a new type of individually tailored ear protector with members of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

“I think the problem is widely accepted now. More and more of our members are aware that high-exposure levels are causing damage and once the damage has occurred, there’s no turning back.”

An EC spokesman said directives protecting workers from the risk of noise, laid down in 1986, were due to be re-examined in 2001.

— the Straits Times

What do you think? Can music really damage hearing? Will some of the suggestions here work? Will the quality of the performance be compromised?
Whether you are a performer or a listener, we welcome you to share your views at the Konzerthaus Cafe.