AES 123rd Convention - Where Audio Comes Alive
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AES New York 2007
Workshop W21

Monday, October 8, 11:00 am — 1:00 pm
W21 - IS YOUR JOB KILLING YOU? (OR JUST MAKING YOU DEAF?)

Chair:
Sarah Jones, Editor, Mix Magazine
Panelists:
DeeDee Acquisto, Musicares
Dave Hampton, Engineer/Producer (Herbie Hancock, Prince)
Kathy Peck, H.E.A.R. (Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers)
Craig Schumacher, Studio Owner/Producer/Founder, TapeOpCon
Andy Vermiglio, House Ear Institute

Abstract:
Audio engineers are in this field because they have great passion for their work. However that same passion, combined with long hours in stressful working environments can contribute to serious health problems ranging from hearing loss to RSI, stress disorders and even heart problems, if they’re not proactive about taking care of themselves.

The biggest health issue facing engineers is hearing damage, often a taboo issue in the SPL-heavy recording world. It's a vicious cycle: Those who depend on their hearing to do their job put it at risk by doing that job, day after day. Our ears our livelihood; why aren’t we protecting them?

And, it’s not just our ears that are at risk. We've had to adapt quickly to a world that seems to spin faster than ever, making us work harder to survive. Communication technology makes it easier than ever to stay in top of things, but harder to get away from work. And industry changes have made everyone’s jobs more demanding than ever. In the face of budget cuts, more and more audio engineers are “sole proprietors”- not just tracking and mixing, but archiving, bookkeeping, promoting their work. On the production side, technology advances at lightning speed, making it a constant battle to stay on the cutting edge. And what about making time for our personal lives? The fast pace can take a physical toll.

That said, there are proven steps audio pros can take to preserve and improve their health and well-being—and maximize their career potential. This panel of industry experts (including seasoned veterans who have been through it all and can teach us from experience) will discuss hazards that contribute to noise-induced hearing loss, and examine ways audio engineers can protect their hearing while still doing their job. They will tackle problems inherent in this “workaholic” job culture, offering time-tested solutions for surviving long hours in the studio and life on the road, keeping up with the blinding pace of technology, and thriving in expanded job roles—all while balancing work lives and “real” lives.


Last Updated: 20070928, mei


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