National Youth Orchestra: Empowering Young Musicians
Empowering Young Musicians: A Journey through Hearing Health
Harley Street Hearing and Musicians’ Hearing Services were approached by the National Youth Orchestra for a Hearing Health Seminar. Led by Clinical Lead Fiona Butterworth the seminar took place during the NYO’s Spring residency at Uppingham School in Rutland, ahead of their much-anticipated performance at the Royal Festival Hall.
In a room filled with approximately 150 young musicians, aged between 13 and 18, Butterworth engaged the audience in a discussion that shed light on the nuances of hearing health. The atmosphere buzzed with curiosity as the musicians eagerly absorbed insights into hearing protection and dispelled common misconceptions.
Quotes from members of the NYO reflect the impact of the session:
- “It was really interesting to hear about the different possibilities for hearing protection and some misconceptions about why hearing is damaged.”
- “It was really useful and clarified information, and also made me feel reassured that it’s okay to reach out for help, so thank you.”
- “It was extremely helpful! I feel I have been a bit careless when it comes to hearing protection, and considering the likelihood of me continuing music, it is useful to know more about how I can protect my hearing in the long term! Many thanks for the talk!”
- “It really makes you think more about how we hear and how to maintain the quality of hearing when it’s something that we often take for granted, especially as musicians.”
- “Protect your ears so you can keep doing what you love!”
- “Hearing protection is an important part of life as a musician, and is not something that should be glossed over.”
- “This was a great session!!! Very informative and clear, and showed me different things that I never realised about hearing or knew a little about, but now understand much better!”
Confidence levels regarding managing hearing health revealed a significant shift due to the contents of the seminar. At the beginning of the session, the average response to the question “how confident do you feel about managing your hearing health” was 2.8 out of 5, with 70% of responses ranging from 1 to 3 out of 5. By the end, the average response soared to 4.3 out of 5, with an overwhelming 96% of responses falling within the 4 to 5 out of 5 range.
This transformative experience underscores the importance of education and awareness in safeguarding the hearing health of young musicians. By equipping them with knowledge and resources, we empower them to cherish their passion for music while prioritising their well-being. As the NYO members attest, it’s not just about protecting our ears—it’s about preserving the harmony of our musical journey for years to come. If your organisation would be interested in learning more about our Hearing Health Seminars don’t hesitate to contact us.
If you’ve found this interesting try some of our other articles:
Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme 8 Years Strong
Muisician’s Union Hyperacusis Case Study
