Tinnitus and Hearing Loss Are Far More Common in Musicians Than Non-Musicians

A newly published systematic review and meta-analysis in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, AAO-HNSF) reports that musicians experience significantly higher rates of tinnitus, hearing loss, and hyperacusis than people who are not musicians. The analysis combined findings from 67 studies and included data on more than 28,000 musicians from 21 countries.

Across the pooled studies, tinnitus was reported by 42.6% of musicians, compared with 13.2% of non-musician control groups. Hearing loss was found in 25.7% of musicians versus 11.6% of controls. Hyperacusis—heightened sensitivity to everyday sounds—was also much more common in musicians, affecting 37.3% compared with 15.3% among non-musicians.

“Many musicians quietly live with ringing ears, sound sensitivity, or hearing loss, no matter whether they play in a symphony hall or a small club,” says Shaun A. Nguyen, MD, Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina. “Yet the research we have is still imperfect, often based on self-reported symptoms and missing details about things like other loud hobbies, specific instruments, and how consistently people use hearing protection. What we really need now is more personal, musician-entered risk profiling so we can offer practical, tailored advice that helps artists protect their hearing without sacrificing the music they love,”

Among musicians who reported tinnitus, most (76.3%) said it occurred occasionally, while 15.6% described it as permanent. For hearing loss, about 63% of cases were identified through self-report, while roughly 37% were confirmed by audiometric testing. The authors note this may mean the actual prevalence is undercounted.

The review also found no meaningful difference in rates of tinnitus, hearing loss, or hyperacusis when comparing classical musicians with pop/rock musicians. That finding runs counter to common assumptions and suggests the risk is not limited to any one genre. The authors indicate that other variables—such as the type of instrument played, where a musician sits in an ensemble, acoustic conditions, and use of hearing protection—may be more important in shaping auditory risk than genre itself.

Source: AAO-HNSF