The aim of the study was to determine whether or not delivery of live music poses a significant risk to the hearing of musicians involved and to evaluate current practices that are employed (if any) to protect the hearing of musicians. Method: consisted of two parts; firstly monitoring of noise exposure levels at four gigs with the application of dose meters, and secondly the completion of a questionnaire process (41 in total) using a convenience sample of musicians. Results: Four average 8Hour Leq readings of 102.5, 106, 104.5 and 102 dB(A) were obtained for the two acoustic gigs that were monitored using the dose meters. For the two rock gigs analysed the average 8Hour
Leq figures obtained were greater; 110, 110.5, 116.5, and 106.5 dB(A). All 8Hour Leq figures were over 100 dB(A) and substantially greater than the prescribed legislative safe level of 85 dB(A). Analysis of the questionnaire results found that 80.5% of musicians questioned believe that live music can have an adverse affect on a persons hearing. 46.3% believe that they have impaired hearing/a hearing condition. 39% suffer from some form of tinnitus. 39% know what the prescribed safe noise limit is within a music venue, 61% were either unsure or incorrect. 22% wear some form of ear protection. A strong positive correlation exists between the number of years that the individual has been a musician and the incidence of tinnitus. A positive correlation exists between the length of time that an individual has been a professional musician and those who feel that they have impaired hearing/a hearing condition. A correlation exists between the number of hours of live music a week that the musician usually performs and whether they suffer from tinnitus. 78% of those musicians who wear some form of ear protection are aware of what the safe noise limit is in a music venue. 66% of those individuals who do not wear ear protection are unsure as to what the safe noise limit is in a music venue.