Overview
This interdisciplinary project brings together the Departments of Music and Engineering & Architecture to address an important health issue: the high sound exposure experienced by aspiring and professional musicians. Research shows that music students are at a significantly higher risk of early hearing damage, yet they often receive limited support in managing this risk in their daily study and work environments. Because musicians work in changing settings and the distinction between private, work-related, and project-based exposures is complex, responsibilities for hearing protection are often unclear, which increases the need for individual awareness and practical guidance.
We investigate how music students perceive loudness and sound quality in their practice and rehearsal settings and how these perceptions relate to objectively measured sound levels. Building on pilot measurements conducted at the Department of Music, the project reviews the current state of research, analyzes acoustic data, and develops a survey to capture psychoacoustic and behavioral factors. We also prepare tailored information materials for students, teachers, and leadership.
The project lays the groundwork for a larger research proposal to the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF). The aim of this future project is to examine when and why sound exposure becomes critical, how hearing protection can reduce risk, and how musicians can be supported in using individualized hearing protection regularly and confidently.
In the long term, this collaboration intends to promote sustainable hearing-health practices among musicians and to strengthen institutional awareness of sound protection measures in music education.
