Orchestral musicians work in an environment that is often hazardous to their hearing. Volume levels, particularly in orchestral pits can reach and maintain levels that cause permanent damage. A collaboration at The University of Queensland between an audiologist, an electrical engineer and an orchestral musician has resulted in a headphone innovation which allows the ear to remain completely unoccluded. When sound levels drop, the musicians hear the ambient sound directly. The device does not alter the sound levels when they are below a safe threshold.

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