NASM-PAMA Advisories on Hearing Health


The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA) have developed a comprehensive overview of hearing health issues for postsecondary schools and departments of music.  Information of a medical nature is provided by PAMA; information regarding contextual issues in music programs, by NASM.

This section of the website provides a “tool kit” of documents focused on the issue of hearing health. It addresses the risk of noise-induced hearing loss, a widespread and serious public health issue for musicians and others.

Please Note:

  • Use of these documents is completely voluntary.
  • These documents are not standards or procedures for NASM accreditation.
  • NASM standards and procedures are found in the Handbook and Procedures for Institutions published separately by NASM.
  • Information is subject to amendment or change at any time without prior notice.

NASM and PAMA acknowledge with gratitude the efforts of the many past and present professionals in various medical, research, and music-related fields who developed the scientific and practical information summarized in this set of resources. They express appreciation to the members of PAMA, NASM, and the American Academy of Audiology communities who made comments and suggestions on drafts of this and other documents in this web resource.

All of the resources described and linked below may be edited and customized to fit the local needs of departments, schools, or institutions. Any organization or institution may reproduce the documents in quantities sufficient for its own use, but not for sale. Notice of credit to NASM and PAMA should appear on all versions of these resources, both original and as edited for local use.

Before proceeding to the individual documents, please review these Important Notes.

The Tool Kit Resources

  1. Basic Information on Hearing Health – Administrators and Faculty

Information and Recommendations for Administrators and Faculty in Schools of Music

A compendium of information for administrators and faculty. This is the most comprehensive document of the set.

  1. Basic Information on Hearing Health – Faculty and Staff

Information and Recommendations for Faculty and Staff in Schools of Music

A compendium of basic information for faculty and staff. Significantly shorter than document 1, we expect that this version will have the widest use among faculty. It may be customized for local use within an institution or music unit.

  1. Music Student Orientation: A Sample Order and Script

Protect Your Hearing Every Day: Information and Recommendations for Student Musicians
Standard Version
Version for Customization

Basic information for in-person student orientation. This information may be used as a basis for developing an institution-specific approach to music student orientation. Institutions may wish to further customize the script and/or include local medical personnel in the orientation presentation or in a question-and-answer session following the presentation.

  1. Music Student Orientation Guide

Protect Your Hearing Every Day: Information and Recommendations for Student Musicians
Standard Version
Version for Customization

Basic information packet for students. This guide may be distributed prior to, during, or immediately following a student orientation. Institutions may wish to further customize the contents. Institutions are welcome to post this guide on their website.

  1. Student Information Sheet

Protecting Your Hearing Health: Student Information Sheet on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Standard Version
Version for Customization

Basic information sheet for students. This is the most basic document of the set and is meant to support information conveyed to students during an in-person student orientation. Institutions are welcome to post this information sheet on their website.

We hope these resources are helpful to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.