Musicians A musician is someone who Composer, composes, Conducting, conducts, or Performing arts#Performers, performs music. According to the United States Employment Service, "musician" is a general Terminology, term used to designate a person who fol ...

can experience a number of health problems related to the practice and performance of music. The differences in career paths, occupations and performance scenarios are some of the determinants of a wide range of possible health effects.

Health conditions

The most common injury type suffered by musicians is

repetitive strain injury A repetitive strain injury (RSI) is an injury to part of the musculoskeletal or nervous system caused by repetitive use, vibrations, compression or long periods in a fixed position. Other common names include repetitive stress injury, repetitiv ...

. A survey of orchestral performers found that 64–76% had significant repetitive strain injuries. Other types of

musculoskeletal disorder Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries or pain in the human musculoskeletal system, including the joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, tendons, and structures that support limbs, neck and back. MSDs can arise from a sudden exertion (e.g. ...

s, such as

carpal tunnel syndrome Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a nerve compression syndrome associated with the collected signs and symptoms of Pathophysiology of nerve entrapment#Compression, compression of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Carpal tunn ...

and focal dystonia, are also common. Non-musculoskeletal problems include: *

contact dermatitis Contact dermatitis is a type of acute or chronic inflammation of the skin caused by exposure to chemical or physical agents. Symptoms of contact dermatitis can include itchy or dry skin, a red rash, bumps, blisters, or swelling. These rashes ...

, * hearing problems due to exposure to loud music, such as

tinnitus Tinnitus is a condition when a person hears a ringing sound or a different variety of sound when no corresponding external sound is present and other people cannot hear it. Nearly everyone experiences faint "normal tinnitus" in a completely ...

hearing loss Hearing loss is a partial or total inability to hear. Hearing loss may be present at birth or acquired at any time afterwards. Hearing loss may occur in one or both ears. In children, hearing problems can affect the ability to acquire spo ...

hyperacusis Hyperacusis is an increased Hearing, sensitivity to sound and a low tolerance for environmental noise. Definitions of hyperacusis can vary significantly; it often revolves around damage to or dysfunction of the Stapes, ''stapes'' bone, stapedius ...

and diplacusis, * respiratory disorders or

pneumothorax A pneumothorax is collection of air in the pleural space between the lung and the chest wall. Symptoms typically include sudden onset of sharp, one-sided chest pain and dyspnea, shortness of breath. In a minority of cases, a one-way valve is ...

, * increased intraocular pressure, *

gastroesophageal reflux disease Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a chronic upper gastrointestinal disease in which stomach content persistently and regularly flows up into the esophagus, resulting in symptoms and/or ...

, and * psychological issues such as performance anxiety. They are also at an increased risk of having problems with the stomatognathic system, in particular the mouth and teeth, which may in some cases lead to permanent injuries that prevent the musicians from playing. There is little consistency across the hearing healthcare sector with respect to the care of musicians' hearing and the provision of hearing protection. However, the American Academy of Audiology has published a consensus document regarding best practices for hearing loss prevention with musicians. Playing a brass or woodwind instrument puts the musician at greater risk of

inguinal hernia An inguinal hernia or groin hernia is a hernia (protrusion) of abdominal cavity contents through the inguinal canal. Symptoms, which may include pain or discomfort especially with or following coughing, exercise, or bowel movements, are absen ...

. Woodwind instrumentalists, in rare cases, suffer a condition known as ''

hypersensitivity pneumonitis Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) or extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA) is a syndrome caused by the repetitive inhalation of antigens from the environment in susceptible or sensitized people. Common antigens include molds, bacteria, bird droppin ...

'', also referred to as ''saxophone lung'', caused by '' Exophiala'' infection. It is held that this can occur if instruments are not cleaned properly. The risks for

disc jockey A disc jockey, more commonly abbreviated as DJ, is a person who plays recorded music for an audience. Types of DJs include Radio personality, radio DJs (who host programs on music radio stations), club DJs (who work at nightclubs or music fes ...

s working in nightclubs with

loud music Loud music is music that is played at a high Loudness, volume, often to the point where it disturbs others and causes hearing damage. It may include music that is sung live, played with musical instruments, or with electronic media, such as Radi ...

include

noise-induced hearing loss Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a Hearing loss, hearing impairment resulting from exposure to loud sound. People may have a loss of perception of a narrow range of Frequency, frequencies or impaired perception of sound including hyperacusi ...

and

. Nightclubs constantly exceed safe levels of noise exposure, with average sound levels ranging from 93.2 to 109.7 dB. Constant music exposure creates temporary and permanent auditory dysfunction for professional disk jockeys, with average levels at 96 dB, which is above the level at which ear protection is mandatory for industry. Three-quarters of disk jockeys have tinnitus and are at risk of

tenosynovitis Tenosynovitis is the inflammation of the fluid-filled sheath (called the synovium) that surrounds a tendon, typically leading to joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Tenosynovitis can be either infectious or noninfectious. Common clinical mani ...

in the wrists and other limbs. Tenosynovitis results from staying in the same position over multiple gigs for scratching motion and cueing; this would be related to a

. Gigs can last 4–5 hours in

nightlife Nightlife is a collective term for entertainment that is available and generally more popular from the late evening into the early hours of the morning. It includes pubs, bars, nightclubs, parties, live music, concerts, cabarets, theatre, ...

and the

hospitality industry The hospitality industry is a broad category of fields within the service industry that includes lodging, food and beverage services, event planning, theme parks, travel agency, tourism, hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Sector ...

; as a result there are potential

complications of prolonged standing Complication or complications may refer to: Dramatic arts * Complications (CSI: Miami), "Complications" (''CSI: Miami''), an episode of ''CSI: Miami'' * Complications (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), "Complications" (''Terminator: The ...

which include slouching, varicose veins, cardiovascular disorders, joint compression, and muscle fatigue. It is also common for other staff to experience these, such as bartenders and security staff. The

World Health Organization The World Health Organization (WHO) is a list of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations which coordinates responses to international public health issues and emergencies. It is headquartered in Gen ...

launched the Make Listening Safe initiative as part of the celebration of World Hearing Day on 3 March 2015. WHO reviewed existing noise regulations for various entertainment sites – including clubs, bars, concert venues, and sporting arenas and released a global Standard for Safe Listening Venues and Events as part of World Hearing Day 2022.

References

External links

* {{cite journal , last1=Okoshi , first1=Kae , last2=Minami , first2=Taro , last3=Masahiro , first3=Kikuchi , last4=Tomizawa , first4=Yasuko , title=Musical Instrument-Associated Health Issues and Their Management , journal=The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine , date=2017 , volume=243 , issue=1 , pages=49–56 , doi=10.1620/tjem.243.49 , pmid=28931767 , url=https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/tjem/243/1/243_49/_article , access-date=31 December 2020, doi-access=free *

National Association of Schools of Music The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) is an association of post-secondary music schools in the United States and the principal U.S. accreditor for higher education in music. It was founded on October 20, 1924, and is based in Resto ...

(NASM) and the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA) Advisories on Hearing Health

Make Listening Safe Campaign UK
Injuries Occupational safety and health Audiology Hearing loss Music-related lists Health risks of performing arts

Health conditions

See also

References

External links