Life in the Pit

I agree with Ethan, that the number one health issue is hearing loss. You may have read about the measures taken by the Sydney Opera House concerning sound levels and other issues (look up the Sydney Morning Herald, Nov. 10, 2006) as a result of changes to the state H&S regulations. They are changing orchestra sections mid-opera and have introduced mandatory hearing protection for some players.

Changing personnel during a performance is not something we’d like to contemplate but the rationale is simple. Here in Ontario, the Industrial Regulations (which also apply to musicians) state that exposure to sound levels of an average of 85 decibels for an 8 hour shift is acceptable. The potential for damage is what you would expect from listening to the dial tone on your phone for 8 hours straight. But raise the average level to 88 db and you can only be exposed for 4 hours and each rise of 3 db cuts recommended exposure time in half. The research seems to confirm that the length of time exposed is more harmful than the peak decibel levels. And if the Ministry of Labour ever decides to enforce the regulations in orchestra pits, we’re in serious do-do.

Props falling into the pit can have catastrophic results for one player or one instrument but the effect of sound on the entire orchestra is much more harmful. Every musician should visit an audiologist to get a baseline reading on their hearing, and the sooner the better. I waited until I was 50 and fortunately have the hearing of an average 50-year-old. But if I didn’t, would I tell you?