Quebec live music pros are losing their hearing three times faster

A panel discussion at the Rendez-vous Pro des Francos presented a new report examining hearing health in Quebec's live music industry, revealing troubling gaps in workplace awareness and protection. The study, titled Trop fort pour durer: État de la santé auditive des professionnels des arts de la scène musicale du Québec and produced by SMAQ in partnership with Université Laval, was presented by audiologist Philippe Fournier, Quebec artist Willows, and host Louis-Philippe Labrèche. Willows shared her own experience: after waking one day with partial hearing loss in one ear, her life and career as a musician were deeply affected. Her changed perception of sound prevented her from working with stereo sound, and she lived with uncertainty about whether she could continue as an artist. With support from colleagues and by relying on musical memory, she adapted to the obstacle. According to the study, professionals in the live music industry are three times more likely than the average person to experience constant tinnitus because of their work environment. The report drew responses from 121 people working in music-related careers, including musicians and technicians, mainly in the Montreal area. Key findings included: - 50% of respondents are exposed to high sound levels for more than 10 hours per day - 53% do not use or are not provided with hearing protection - 72% said they had not received information from their employer about the risks related to hearing damage - 74% shared that they are worried about hearing problems potentially affecting their careers The panel highlighted a major problem: lack of awareness and prevention. Hearing issues are often treated as a taboo subject, as revealing hearing problems may lead others to question their ability to perform. The discussion called for better education, more accessible protection, and a cultural shift in the industry so that protecting hearing becomes part of the job.