This study surveys non-orchestral musicians playing in pipe, jazz, concert, wind, or brass bands regarding their perceived risk of music-induced hearing damage, rates of self-reported hearing loss, and use of earplugs and acoustic screens while playing in an ensemble.
The voice of consumers with disability has, up until this point, largely been absent in the development of employment policy designed to maximise economic participation – our participation. It is clear from the findings of this national collated report that this can no longer continue if Australia is serious about closing the 30 percentage point workforce participation rate gap1 which exists between people with disability and those without.
Read more about What consumers really think about Disability Employment Services
Last year I attended the 200th anniversary of the birth of Prosper Menière. He died of pneumonia in 1862; the year after his article describing Meniere’s disease was published.
Read more about Recent advances in the understanding of Meniere’s disease and tinnitus
People who want to participate in the labour force and have a hearing loss face challenges that are unfamiliar to most of their hearing peers: for some, the barriers become evident start at or before the process of searching for work and, for many, they become more acute during the selection process or at work.
Read more about Labour force activities, barriers and enablers for people with a hearing loss
Like urban Australians, about 1 in 12 adults in Rural Australia have damaged their hearing with loud sound. The damage is almost always occupational noise-induced hearing loss.
Read more about How can we minimise noise damage in the worksite?
This is a story of engagement. Engagement with people who live in areas where access to services is difficult; people who live on farms and who have noise-induced hearing loss.