Eddy Temple-Morris warns of dangers of loud music

News

Rob Hughes Jan 28 2010, 10:43am

XFM DJ highlights the risks in the run up to Tinnitus Awareness Week

XFM presenter and ambassador for the British Tinnitus Association, Eddy Temple-Morris has spoken out about the risks of exposure to loud music in the run up to Tinnitus Awareness Week

“With Tinnitus Awareness Week taking place from February 8th to 14th 2010, I’d like to highlight the invaluable support that the British Tinnitus Association (BTA) provides to those who experience tinnitus.

“As a tinnitus sufferer and newly-appointed ambassador of the BTA, I am delighted to be helping the charity to raise awareness of tinnitus. It’s a condition that I have experienced for several years and one that affects the majority of my friends and colleagues in the music industry as a result of exposure to loud music.

“When I first started working with the BTA, I was shocked to learn that 81 per cent of people don’t realise that they can permanently damage their hearing after just 15 minutes of exposure to loud music. With this in mind, I implore you to tell your readers to protect their ears when listening to loud music to prevent permanent hearing damage. I’ve learnt the importance of this the hard way.

“As a DJ and radio presenter, I used to experience tinnitus to such an extent that I couldn’t sleep and became ill as a result.

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Not knowing where to turn for advice, I was fortunate that a colleague, who’d developed a 40 per cent hearing loss through exposure to loud music, advised me to wear hearing protection. It’s fair to say my life changed completely as a result. Now I carry my hearing protection everywhere and I sleep well, I feel healthier and my ears aren’t getting worse despite my job.

“I thought protecting your ears would kill the music, but I was so wrong. Technology is such that one can wear special earplugs that don't interfere with the music at all - they just reduce its volume slightly. I can hear the sizzle of every hi-hat and boom of every kick drum.

“I have now learnt to manage my tinnitus by taking positive steps. That said, I wish I had known all those years ago about the helpful, friendly advice and support that the BTA can offer sufferers and their families. The charity can provide information about the condition as well as advice on how to prevent hearing damage. As they say, prevention is better than cure.

“I urge people in need of support to get in touch with the BTA by calling them free on 0800 018 0527 or visiting their website www.tinnitus.org.uk. Take my advice: protect your ears before it’s too late.”