Health and Safety in Music
For Music Ensembles and Courses
Being a musician is a strenuous activity and can sometimes lead to injuries. It is crucial that all students engaged in music ensembles and other courses are aware of how they are using their bodies to produce music. Some courses specifically address the health risks and challenges of playing and instrument or singing, while others may not overtly address related health issues. This webpage is meant to be a resource for students and faculty to find out more information about musician's health and to provide direction to resources when care is needed.
Hearing Health
Hearing is the primary tool of musicians and should be treated with care and appropriate protection taken to reduce the risk of hearing loss. Music students are exposed to high sound levels both in the practice room and in performance venues. A study by Phillips et al (2008), found that 52% of undergraduate music students exhibited declines in high-frequency hearing, particularly at 6000 Hz, consistent with acoustic overexposure. Hearing loss is a risk that you should be aware of as a music student, and you should also take steps to minimize your exposure to loud music using musicians ear plugs. Awareness starts will getting a hearing test. Check out this hearing health information sheet from the National Association for Schools of Music (Hearing Health Information Sheet from NASM).
To schedule a hearing exam, Western students can contact the Charles Van Riper Language, Speech and Hearing Clinic.
Phillips, S. L., Henrich, V. C., & Mace, S. T. (2010). Prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss in student musicians. International Journal of Audiology, 49(4), 309–316. https://doi.org/10.3109/14992020903470809
Vocal Health
Vocal health is important to all music majors, since you are engaged in aural skills courses as well as singing throughout the curriculum ; It is especially important to vocal students. It is inevitable that you will encounter a cold, influenza, or some illness that can affect the voice. Your vocal health can also be affected through strenuous and prolonged use. The voice area handbook shares several resources for evaluating your vocal health and for steps in recover after injury. WMU has a clinic that can address issues related to vocal health, the Charles Van Riper Language, Speech and Hearing Clinic.
Vocal Health Information Sheet from NASM
Neuromusculoskeletal Health
Neuromusculoskeletal health is important for every musician, whether holding a flute, marching with sousaphone, or standing with appropriate posture during a choir rehearsal. Practicing and performing music is physically demanding. Please review the guidelines provided by the National Association for Schools of Music, for recommendations about how to take care of your body while making music. Be sure to see your physician or the Sindecuse Health Center on campus should you begin to develop symptoms related to neuromusculoskeletal fatigue or injury.
- Neuromusculoskeletal Health Information Sheet from NASM
Campus Health Resources
Western Michigan University houses the Sindecuse Health Center to provide students and faculty with medical and mental healthcare. And, WMU Unified Clinics include the Van Riper Clinic for language, speech and hearing. Please see the links below: