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Musician wins claim against Royal Opera House over damaged hearing

Bodyblue said:
He has Meneire's, a disease that is a problem with one's inner ear that causes all kinds of weird problems.
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Very familiar with it, sad to say. Never played in an orchestra, band etc and always kept exposure to loud environments to a minimum throughout my life because I never liked it. Now, who do I sue? :crazy:
 
Playing Trombone and Euphonium usually places you on the back row in Wind Symphony Groups. But directly in front of trumpets and percussion in Swing bands or the like. I never played in a pit orchestra, though I did perform as a member of a Symphony. How ever I was a stage Manager for Operas and Ballets as I could read and memorize music. And the thought of being in the pit was not very exciting. I feel for this person, to have his occupation taken away from him and his ability enjoy music in a real life experience has to be devastating. I have always recommended that sound systems should be able to produce short instantaneous peaks of 110 db for concert like realism. But that's a far smaller number than 137 db continuous. 140 db is supposed to guarantee instant hearing failure. A Million + dollars may seem like a lot but even invested with a great return is a fraction of whats needed to maintain your life style in big Cities like New York and London. Oh I'm sure he can get a teaching job or something else related with his education. But its not the same, the thrill and energy takes to perform is gone.
 
Personally, I've noticed that I'm getting more sensitive to loud sounds. In the last couple of years, when shooting a handgun ( I built a range on my back 40), if I only use earplugs, my ears will be ringing. So now, I have to double up. Earplugs and earmuffs. Which is annoying, as I really dislike earmuffs.
Playing music really loud isn't as satisfying as it once was, either.
 
tarior said:
Personally, I've noticed that I'm getting more sensitive to loud sounds. In the last couple of years, when shooting a handgun ( I built a range on my back 40), if I only use earplugs, my ears will be ringing. So now, I have to double up. Earplugs and earmuffs. Which is annoying, as I really dislike earmuffs.
Playing music really loud isn't as satisfying as it once was, either.
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When I shoot my Mosin (7.62x54) they put me on the far end of the indoor range next to the wall.....you can see the shock waves travel along the wall. I only shoot it a few times a session as I dont like my shoulder to fall off.
 
People from other cultures have said that blaming an individual for all misfortunes befalling him seems to be a particularly if not uniquely American concept.
 
sqlsavior said:
You made a wise decision, fortunately.
I totally agree. Everyone should be blessed with such foresight. That some are not is the reason for the legal concept known as Duty of care.
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All of these attempts to stupid-proof and risk-proof the world just make me crazy.
When I was younger, I worked in metal-fab shops with guys who flat refused to use ear pro. Big box of earplugs right there by the time sheets. There is nothing you can do for people like that.
 
sqlsavior said:
People from other cultures have said that blaming an individual for all misfortunes befalling him seems to be a particularly if not uniquely American concept.
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I think most rational Americans are able to distinguish between those genuinely unable control their circumstances through no fault of their own and those who can but choose not to.
 
62caddy said:
I think most rational Americans are able to distinguish between those genuinely unable control their circumstances through no fault of their own and those who can but choose not to.
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I wonder whether 'most' includes as many as 'rational' leaves out...
 
I play trumpet in a symphony and there have been times were the stage setup did not take into account how loud we play and how close we were to the bassoons. I've gotten into the habit of just not playing the dynamic level I should in those situations. Other orchestras pay real close attention to this. Here's a photo of the New York Philharmonic which seems to have a "no man's land" in front of the trumpets and trombones in the back right
 
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