Musicians at risk need hearing the most out of all of their senses.

Estes Audiology and Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) have teamed up to start a new venture called The Hear Project.

The Hear Project is designed to make earplugs affordable for those who need it most, musicians.

“Hearing loss is something that affects all of us in our nation at whatever age you’re at, but as a musician it is of particular importance because that’s your job,” Executive Director for HAAM, Carolyn Schwarz, said.

Musicians at risk need hearing the most out of all of their senses.

“It affects how you work and the longevity of your career,” Schwarz said.

Whether musicians play in an orchestra, symphony or rock band, decibel levels can get pretty high. The idea for project started with Austin musicians coming to HAAM with concerns for their hearing health.

		WATCH THE VIDEO
	The Hear Project News 8's Andy Langer went to the free clinic and spoke to HAAM and musicians about their need for hearing health.

“It came about through the initiative of the musicians telling us, ‘You know what our hearing health is important to us and getting custom fit earplugs is financially out of reach,’” Schwarz said.

Through HAAM and other local foundations, musicians were able to attend a free clinic that allowed them to get their hearing screened, receive education on how to better protect their hearing and get custom fit earplugs.

About 60 Austin musicians were fitted during the first round of the clinic, more are planned but, there is already a waiting list.

	About 60 Austin musicians got fitted during the first round of the clinic.

HAAM offered the opportunity for members currently enrolled in their program.

“For our members we sent out a blast about this and we filled up in two hours, so it was really the hottest concert ticket in town,” Schwarz said

For other musicians who interested in attending these clinics, there will be others in October and November continuing through 2010.