There are few vocations where physical hurt can be written off as unimportant, but a “who cares?” attitude is really the most insidious component of many musicians’ choice to not take better care of their hearing. While most people would reckon that this isn’t a problem that could run rampant in the cooler circles of classical music or orchestras, the truth is that a number of musicians who aren’t out on stage smashing their guitars experience hearing loss at a far younger age than the rest of the population, and it is that constant exposure to loud noises that is the culprit.

One of the largest pieces of advice that older, deafer musicians give to young or middle-aged people is to not underestimate how terrible it can be to lose some of your hearing. After all, hearing isn’t just a small component of how a musician can do his or her job: it is the most vital part. Without being able to hear, it means not being able to stay in time as well, or to choose which mix is best. It also means missing out on a lot of things that aren’t related to music, too. After all, if it’s hard to hear a loud guitar, it will be near impossible to focus on a conversation in a crowded space, let alone many other things that are vital in daily life and creative life alike.

While some might reckon it would be common sense as anyone counting on their hearing to protect it at all costs, it’s often not the case. So for musicians (or anyone who has spent too much time crammed up next to a speaker at a concert), there are a number of steps that it is vital to take at any age. Don’t reckon it’s something that needs to wait until much later, start being proactive now.

The first and most vital step in ensuring the ability to hear music, talking, and everything else clearly for a long time is taking preventative measures. This can mean anything from limiting the amount of time spent in venues with loud music to deciding to wear earplugs both during practices and at concerts. For those who spend a lot of time clubbing or for DJs who are right behind the speakers so much of the time, it is also very vital to wear earplugs for those sort of occasions. Loud music is loud music, and something should be done to avoid prolonged exposure no matter what.

For those who spend a fantastic deal of time in spaces with really loud music, the most vital investment for protecting hearing is to invest in higher quality earplugs. In addition to being a lot more slightly, a right advantage for those who want to avoid hearing loss but don’t want people seeing them with fuzzy orange things sticking out of their ears, custom-made earplugs also do a better job of reducing decibels.

But just wearing earplugs and limiting time in loud spaces isn’t enough. If listening to music on headphones is a large part of one’s routine, it’s vital to make sure the volume isn’t turned all the way up. Loud music through headphones can be just as damaging for one’s ears as a night at a concert, and doctors have warned that children as young as 17 are already experiencing higher levels of hearing loss because of the popularity of earbud headphones.