Summary: As musicians, our hearing is indispensable. Though it may seam counterintuitive, our hearing can also be detrimental to our singing. We sound very differently to an audience than inside our heads. For one thing, our ears contain a muscle called the tensor tympani which protects our ear drum when our voices reach an intensity that could be harmful. This means that when we sing high, there is more sound coming out than we can perceive ourselves. We also perceive the sound that is resonating internally through our bones rather than hearing it after it traveled through the air to our ears. These differences in perception require singers to depend on their internal sense of vocal mechanics rather than on what they are hearing. The fact of the matter is, once you've heard that you are flat, it is too late to correct it. Depending on auditory feedback is ineffective for singers. Higher pitches require less intensity to be heard than low pitches. Singers must be cautioned not to push for loudness in the higher range, it is not needed. Lower pitches will require more energy to be heard. Still it is important that we protect our ears. Regular exposure to decibels levels of 85 or higher can cause serious hearing damage. Wear earplugs to rock concerts, movie theatres, while mowing the lawn, or during any activity where you will be experiencing frequent loud noises. Hearing damage does NOT heal.
Key Concepts: Protect your hearing. Depend on internal awareness of vocal mechanics rather than auditory feedback.
Key Terms:
Auditory Fatigue - our hearing has limits. Constantly straining to hear soft sounds or to dampen loud noises will cause listeners to become tired.
Making Connections: This chapter clears up questions about vocal projection in different ranges. It's so fascinating that low notes require more energy, when most singers would say that they are easier to sing. I appreciated the information about the way the ear works. I feel I will be more protective of my hearing now!
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