About

Why should we consider performers as a special occupational group?

Performing Arts medicine is a branch of medicine that emerged relatively recently (end of the 20th century) from the need to serve a population with special needs and requirements including musicians’ dancers vocalists and actors as well as other professionals involved in performing and are exposed to music. The aim is prevention and management of injuries related to their occupation.

Doctors of various specialties (otolaryngologists, orthopedics, general practitioners, medics, psychiatrists, etc.) as well as health allied professionals (speech therapists, physiotherapists, audiologists, psychologists) and also voice teachers, osteopaths and chiropracters work together for the best outcome of the performers.

What is the aim of performing arts medicine?

The aim is

  • Prevention of injuries

  • Diagnosis of medical problems

  • Management (where possible)

The aim of performing arts medicine is to get the optimal performance at work and to improve the quality of life of performers.

Main targets after visiting the clinic are:

  • deal with the problem that may exist so that the professional can continue his work with the greatest possible efficiency and as effortlessly as possible

  • to be informed about the prevention of possible problems so that they can be prevented and avoided in the future

  • to be educated on issues related to performers health

Can music cause hearing problems?

If you want to learn more about hearing issues, click on the link below where you can read it online and for free. You can also request a copy in English (summary)

“Hearing disorders in professional musicians”

Can loud music damage your hearing? - Heather Malyuk

What should the professional exposed to music expect after visiting the clinic?

Our philosophy is

PREVENTION – EDUCATION – TREATMENT

In this order.

The professionals who visit the clinic are divided into two large categories.

  • to people who do not have any symptoms but are interested in being informed validly about matters concerning the protection of sound, music, voice and balance

  • to people who have been diagnosed with a disorder and need more investigation to discuss treatment options to artists and professionals involved in spectacle and music with the aim of optimal performance in their work and improvement in their quality of life.

Hearing problems and performers, musicians and professionals exposed to music

Professionals who are exposed to music as shown by the first extensive study in Greece (reported below) show the following symptoms.

Tinnitus

Sound intolerance - Hyperacusis

Distortion

Diplacusis

Reference: A. Vardonikolaki, Thesis, 2020

  • The rates of the above symptoms are much higher in professionals exposed to music than those found in the general population

  • These rates reported in the Greek population are similar to those reported in the international literature.

  • Several of the above pathologies are preventable.

  • Preventive screening is important even if there are no symptoms.

  • In case symptoms or hearing loss have appeared, it is important to visit a specialist in order to stop their progression, where possible.

  • There are personalized solutions even if some symptoms have already started. Instructions are given according to:

    • the type of performing art with which the artist is involved
    • the instrument or voice
    • the genre of music
    • working environment

IMPORTANT: Many professionals avoid mistakenly to do the screening tests due to the fear that if they develop a hearing disorder they would lose their job or they would even be unaware of the symptoms. Especially for tinnitus, because more than half of the musicians may suffer from this symptom, this was perceived or considered as something completely 'normal'.

It is now important for professionals to be aware of their hearing status so that solutions can be found and they can perform better in their work. Fear should not be an inhibiting factor. The earlier the better.

If you want to learn more about hearing issues in more detail click on the link below where you can read it online and for free

“Hearing disorders in professional musicians”

Read more

Θέματα που αφορούν άτομα που ασχολούνται με την μουσική και το θέαμα (Performing arts medicine)

Τι είναι Performing Arts medicine, ιατρική που σχετίζεται με τον τομέα των παραστατικών τεχνών.

Η ιατρική των παραστατικών τεχνών (Performing Arts medicine) είναι μια υπερεξειδίκευση της ιατρικής που εμφανίστηκε σχετικά πρόσφατα (τέλη του 20ού αιώνα) από την ανάγκη να εξυπηρετήσει έναν πληθυσμό με ιδιαίτερες ανάγκες και απαιτήσεις που δεν είναι άλλος από τους καλλιτέχνες και τους επαγγελματίες που σχετίζονται με το θέαμα και τη μουσική.

Με την ιατρική των παραστατικών τεχνών ασχολούνται γιατροί διαφόρων ειδικοτήτων (ωτορινολαρυγγολόγοι, ορθοπεδικοί, παθολόγοι, ψυχίατροι κ.α) καθώς και άτομα που ανήκουν σε επαγγέλματα υγείας (λογοθεραπευτές, φυσιοθεραπευτές, ακοολόγοι, ψυχολόγοι ) αλλά και δάσκαλοι φωνητικής.

(Χρήση του βίντεο κατόπιν αδείας)

Who should be tested?

The following categories are only indicative since many professionals could be involved in various areas of performing eg a singer could play one or more instrument as well.

Dr Katerina Vardonikolaki

MD, PhD, Otolaryngologist (ENT)

Certified Doctor by Performing Arts Medicine Association

© Αll rights reserved Κ.Vardonikolaki

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