The recent article in People magazine regarding Mr. McGrath developing a hearing loss after years of exposure to high levels of sound once again reminds us about the importance of utilizing ear protection and/or in-ear monitors while performing or listening to music.

Contrary to the statement in the article that in ear monitors distort the music, it actually allows the listener the ability to reduce the intensity of the music because of the high fidelity sound that monitors can deliver. As we all know, the “speaker” is the most important component in a sound system. You could invest thousands of dollars in amplifiers, digital players or even cell phones but at the end if the delivery of sound is compromised by poor quality speakers or monitors, you have defeated the benefit of you high fidelity equipment.  Another benefit of in-ear monitors is that the volume needed to obtain great quality sound is reduced since the distortion level is so low.  So in result, you are getting great sound and also protecting your fragile hearing. And as was mentioned in the article, once the nerves are damaged, they are gone forever!!!

Here’s the Full Article. . .

Mark McGrath is fearful that his days as a performer will soon be numbered after recently learning that he’s going deaf.

The Sugar Ray frontman, who rose to fame in the ’90s with hits including “Fly,” “Someday”, and “Every Morning,” revealed to the DailyMailTV this week that after years of performing with the pop-rock band, he’s starting to lose his hearing.

“I’m deaf now. I cannot hear any more,” he told the outlet “It’s years and years of being on the road and being two feet in front of cymbals and drums. So high frequencies, I can’t hear anymore. I’ll be listening to people and they’ll tell me their names and I can’t hear anymore.”

“It’s scary because my job is hearing,” he added. “[The future] is absolutely a worry of mine.”