Butler High School band students and parents will be getting schooled Monday about hearing.

Dr. Catherine Palmer, director of audiology at UPMC, will talk with them about the importance of musician earplugs.

“These are a little more specialized than the ones at the store,” said Jeff Kroner, band director.

He heard Palmer speak in January about the audiology program at UPMC and wanted her to talk to his band members and their parents.

“What we know is that if you expose yourself to loud noises without protection, you will experience hearing loss,” Palmer said.

Hearing loss does not happen instantly, but will gradually degrade over years of noise exposure. Students participating in band have more exposure to loud noises than other students.

Any noise that is 90 decibels or more will cause hearing damage. The average ensemble band plays at 97 dB.

Even practicing at home with some instruments will cause hearing damage. According to Palmer, the violin, oboe, flute and French horn are among those instruments that will cause hearing damage.

For instance, playing the piano can produce 60 to 70 dB, the violin can produce levels from 84 to 102 dB, the clarinet can produce levels from 92 to 103 dB and the French horn can produce anywhere from 90 to 106 dB.

Palmer pointed out that football players wear helmets and scientists wear goggles, and musicians should be wearing earplugs.

“It takes four seconds for damage to start,” she said.

“Once you lose your hearing, it’s gone.”

The students will be encouraged to wear the earplugs during practice and while performing.

The students who perform in marching band should wear the earplugs.

“A lot of people think once they are playing on the field they will not need to wear the earplugs, but they still need them,” Palmer said.

These earplugs are meant for musicians and allows them to hear the music, but at safe levels.

“Musician earplugs lower the intensity equally at all frequencies,” Palmer said.

This allows a musician to hear the music without it sounding muffled.

According to Palmer, it is the hair in your inner ear that is being damaged, and there is no way to fix or replace it.

“Hearing loss is 100 percent preventable as long as you are not exposed to loud noises,” she said.

The earplugs are $6 through the program.

“The kids will buy them on their own,” Kroner said.

The students will have the opportunity to buy or order the earplugs Monday at the meeting.

Palmer has been to schools throughout the Pittsburgh area as well as schools in Mercer County telling students and parents about the dangers of noise exposure.