musicians ear logo
Back to Dashboard

Orchestral Hearing Conservation: Operations and Support Staff

by | Dec 14, 2024

A short course for operations staff

This course will give orchestral operations and support staff an introduction to the importance of hearing conservation, risks within the orchestra, WH&S obligations, earplugs, deployment of acoustic screens, sound level monitoring and an overview of personal protective devices.

Course Information

Estimated Time: 65 Minutes

Course Instructor

Ian O'Brien PhD Ian O'Brien PhD Author

Ian is a professional musician, audiologist and acoustics engineer. He has been working with professional orchestras and tertiary music schools for many years assisting with the development and implementation of their own hearing conservation programs. He has also been delivering training in this area to musicians, management, boards and operational staff for around two decades and has published widely in the field. He operates an audiology clinic dedicated to the hearing health and rehabilitation of musicians, is involved in developing hearing technology, plays horn for the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and is "improving" on the guitar.

Introduction

Course welcome

Module 1: Background & Overview 

Hearing and the impact of hearing damage
The prevalence of hearing damage among musicians
Understanding sound levels and sound exposure
Sound exposure in the orchestra

Module 2: Hearing Conservation Programs

The law and workplaces
The problem with orchestras
Orchestral hearing conservation programs – Overview, Monitoring and training

Module 3: Control Measures

Control measures overview and the hierarchy explained
Engineered controls
Administrative controls
Personal Controls (PPE)

Module 4: Planning and administration

Overview
Hearing conservation plans and reports
Managing an injury

Last steps

Outro