Alumni Magazine feature

It is a specific honor [and a strange marker of the passage of time] to see your story featured in an undergraduate alumni magazine! PULSE, the Purchase College magazine, was kind enough to ask me to share my journey from the artsy music-focused college incubator setting to my current Music Audiology practice. For the piece, the writers went beyond the simple chronologic story and took the time to ask about my approach to working with my patient’s ears and careers:

“A common concern from performers is that earplugs, for example, make it harder to perform due to a lack of perceived connection,” he says. “I work with my patients on understanding how earplugs can enhance their work. The loudness of loud settings can actually hinder your listening and creativity.”

I also appreciate their call-to-action and information on how to schedule televisits, especially for those who may be eligible for MusiCares benefits:

“I can go beyond the Philadelphia area now to help people all over the world,” says Wartinger. Today he offers his services nationally and internationally through the MusiCares program (www.tunedcare.com).

To read the full article, use the magazine above link or click here to download the PDF.

Rock On…with Caution: Hearing Loss Risk in Musicians

Earmark's Frank Wartinger, AuD, was interviewed for a recent article titled "Rock On…with Caution: Hearing Loss Risk in Musicians" published in the Hearing Journal.

Solid Advice

The article is packed with incredibly honest and sage "I've been there" type advice from industry veterans David Uosikkinen (The Hooters) and Tom Hampton (Marshall Tucker Band, Robert Hazard). Dr. Wartinger's main take-away was simple: never stop making music.

"Yes, there are risks, but with the right tools and precautions, you can reduce your risk. The key is to understand, respect, and protect your hearing as a valuable tool in the music-making process..."

Know better, do better, teach the next generation

Many of rock-and-roll's icons have given their ears to help craft the soundtracks of our youths and good times: Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend (The Who) and Stephen Stills (Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young) to name a few. In many ways, the technological and stylistic revolutions these visionaries created was the very thing that put them at risk. Bigger audiences and stages, ever more powerful sound systems, and heavier sounds had the cummulative effect of creating a previously unheard-of health hazard: Music Induced Hearing Disorders.

“It is serious business,” said Uosikkinen. “I tell my students that they should take care of their ears because they need to last you an entire lifetime. I'm grateful that technology has made it a little bit better, but I'm still concerned about young people today.

Solutions exist and music audiology experts such as Dr. Wartinger are capable of connecting your performance needs with the long-term needs of your career in music. Reach out to Earmark Hearing Conservation with any questions or comments, or to further discuss your own needs and situation.

I'm An Audiologist... Come Again?

"Being able to explain what you do in terms of its scientific roots is outstanding."

Audiology Today published an article titled "I'm An Audiologist. Come Again?" that discusses the public un-awareness of the field of Audiology. Featured in the article were three Healthy Hearing Community Education Program (HHCEP) outreach events lead by Frank Wartinger, Au.D. in collaboration with the department of Audiology at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). 

As a part of the 2017 Philadelphia Science Festival, these events addressed different audiences and various aspects of Audiology. 

Be A CHOP Audiologist! 

On April 23rd, 2017, CHOP Audiology opened its doors to welcome visitors to the new Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care. More than 160 attendees were given tours of the facility and six interactive stations: hearing testing, amplification technology, hearing protection, stuttering treatment, and augmentative & alternative communication technology. For the event, Frank built a freestanding 12" Chladni Plate, a device that allows attendees to interact with sound as a physical, visible energy. He also demonstrated a Jolene mannequin, a device that accurately reports an individual's listening level on their own personal music player and earphones. The event was a success with plans to repeat next year on a larger scale. 

Sensory Overload

Hosted at Yards Brewing Company, Sensory Overload was an interactive speaker event that featured five scientists and clinicians from various fields, each discussing one of our five senses. Frank presented on... you guessed it... hearing! The main take home of the discussion was that sound is an enjoyable and powerful force. As such, hearing is something to be respected and protected throughout our lives.

Science Carnival

On April 29th, 2017, CHOP Audiology presented an interactive booth at the Science Festival's flagship event, the Carnival. This year, over 300 presenters and nearly 50,000 attendees enjoyed this free public event on Penn's Landing with content tailored to scientists of all ages.

Future workshops in the works!

Stay tuned for further community events planned to address topics such as the use of hearing protection by live and studio audio engineers, and the use of in-ear monitors to improve performance potential.

A Music-Lover's Guide to Tinnitus

Frank Wartinger contributed insight and clinically-based commentary to a powerful article written by Angus Finlayson (@angusWFinlayson) for the electronic music publication Resident Advisor. The feature of the article is the accounts of two musician's with tinnitus and how the auditory condition has shaped their lives and careers.

A Music-Lover's Guide To Tinnitus, Resident Advisor. 

Words / Angus Finlayson

Published / Thu, 22 Jun 2017

Talking About Tinnitus

By demystifying tinnitus and openly discussing how professional musicians can continue to have a fulfilling relationship with music, this article repeatedly hits on an important message: don't ever stop! Keep going and do so in a manner that respects your ears and hearing.

Act Before You Should Have Acted

The article feedback has been positive and engaging. However, a telling trend has emerged from the comments - those who endorse caution have already been burned. 

From those who have not experienced first hand the warning signs of hearing damage, we still hear the chant of "if it's too loud, you're too old". That saying is ironic since both our youth and hearing health are delicate - even transient - and certainly worth appreciating and protecting. Consider that both these things are true: one day it will be too loud AND you will be too old. 

I Have Tinnitus... Is It Too Late?

Far from it! If you're noticing constant ringing in your ears or dulled hearing after every rehearsal or gig, these are warning signs that should encourage action. If our feet hurt from running we would given them a rest and look into more supportive footwear. Our ears don't feel pain like that, but with tinnitus and temporary hearing loss, they are able to tell us when something needs out attention.

Reach out to a hearing professional and discuss how you can keep your career on track. Indeed, there are ways of helping even the most dire situations. What's more, musicians often notice improved performances and increased satisfaction when they begin to rehearse and perform with their hearing health in mind.

Hearing Wellness for Musicians

Hearing Wellness for Musicians

Dr. Frank Wartinger wrote a brief "Patient Handout" document titled "Hearing Wellness for Musicians", published in the April Issue of The Hearing Journal. In the document, he outlined practical solutions to reduce the risk of music-induced hearing disorders (MIHD) in rehearsals and performances.

"By treating our ears as the invaluable, irreplaceable assets they are, we can take important steps to improve our performance while reducing the risk of a career-limiting hearing injury."

Download the PDF for free, or view the article and April issue of the Hearing Journal online.

Of course, as musicians we often find that our settings don't quite fit the mold and some of these suggestions may not apply or require adjustment to work for our needs. Contact Earmark Hearing Conservation to discuss your situation and needs. Phone consultations are free and a good first step towards taking control over your listening and monitoring situation.

Hearing Conservation Through Partnership With Musicians

Figure. Hearing Conservation, Musicians, Hearing Loss. iStock/cyano66. Source Hearing Conservation Through Partnership With Musicians The Hearing Journal. 70(3):16,18,20, March 2017.

Article on the Musician/Audiologist Interactions

The Hearing Journal recently published an article by Frank Wartinger, Au.D., titled "Hearing Conservation Through Partnership With Musicians"

Clinician's Perspective

The implicit distinction of hearing conservation services for musicians was discussed from the clinician's perspective with the hope of fostering more positive, supportive, and productive partnerships between clinicians and the musicians they serve. By better understanding the musician's goals and needs, audiologists can more effectively discuss performance-oriented aspects of hearing conservation interventions.

Musician's Perspective

In the next issue of The Hearing Journal we will explore the same clinician/client relationship from the musician's perspective. Contact Earmark Hearing Conservation to discuss your past experiences with audiology and how you would like to promote a productive interactions for mutual success.

Science of Hearing Wellness

Dr. Michael Santucci, the founder and president of Sensaphonics, Inc., recently penned a concise and thoughtful review for ProSoundWeb.com which discussed the science of sound, hearing, and hearing wellness for the musical community. The entire article is clear and expertly laid out, but I want to bring special attention to the last line of the article:

"There’s no reason a career in music or pro audio should cost you your hearing. We have the technology and techniques to help you keep your hearing while still enjoying the music you love!"

Hearing Damage is Not Inevitable

I hear all too often the sentiment that a loss of hearing or tinnitus is a 'badge of honor', or in some way a foregone conclusion if one leads the life of a musical professional. This couldn't be further from the truth, but we often confuse anecdotal patterns - countless reports of rockstars' careers being cut short citing auditory problems - with actual causal relationships. Dr. Santucci put it succinctly with the above except and in this article: the technology, and almost more importantly the techniques and mindset/behavior changes, are available to keep your music going for your whole life time.

Many thanks to Dr. Santucci for his words and to ProSoundWeb.com for their commitment to sharing important information on Hearing Wellness to their readers.

Link: The Science Of Hearing Wellness: The Doctor Is In