By Mary K. Nevins, CCC-SLP
A speech-language pathologist, Mary Nevins (second from right) is the lead vocalist and acoustic guitarist for the band Sun Queen. Credit: Joanna Uruchima
I have a unique perspective on hearing health as both a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and a musician in a rock band. Growing up, I played in basements and garages with zero hearing protection, convinced that hearing protection was lame and hearing loss was something only “old people” had to think about.
It wasn’t until SLP coursework that I really understood how much damage excess sound can do over time, and how quietly it sneaks up on you.
The good news? We live in an era where earplugs can actually be comfortable, discreet, and even kind of stylish. I keep mine on my keychain so they’re always within reach, whether I’m at band practice, a live show, or just caught somewhere unexpectedly loud.
Mary and her mom at Lollapalooza, where they were equipped with earplugs.
Music is my passion, and honestly, losing the ability to listen to it would feel like losing my whole heart. Protecting my hearing is such a small habit for something that pays off for the rest of your life.
My love of music came from both of my parents, though my mom gave me a bit more of an intense music background. My mom is a big part of why I take hearing health so seriously. She grew up deep in Chicago's punk scene in the ’80s, had an incredible time, but hearing protection was not as discussed then. She enjoyed countless live shows at max volume.
Now my mom lives with hearing loss and chronic tinnitus, which affects her every single day in ways that are genuinely frustrating. Despite this, we still go to shows together, both of us fully equipped with earplugs.
We even treat them as an accessory, clipping the cases to our keychains or bag charms so we never leave home without them. Finding the right pair took some trial and error (ear canals really do come in all shapes and sizes), but it is worth it once you find the right fit.
The damage to my mom’s ears can’t be undone, but she protects what she has left while still doing what she loves.
I’m taking notes. Her experience is one I learn from for my own hearing health journey. I want to listen and play music for the rest of my life, and this is how I am going to support the goal.
Mary K. Nevins, CCC-SLP, lives in Illinois. She is the lead vocalist and acoustic guitarist for the band Sun Queen, the original “Sun Queen” who launched the band during college in Nashville. Hearing Health Foundation is happy to have Nevins join us as a prevention advocate with our Keep Listening prevention campaign. For more, see sunqueenmusic.com and hhf.org/keeplistening.
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Music is my passion, and honestly, losing the ability to listen to it would feel like losing my whole heart. Protecting my hearing is such a small habit for something that pays off for the rest of your life.