Devin Townsend is a Canadian heavy metal musician and producer, known among other things for his work with Strapping Young Lad. He is also one of the artists in heavy music who has spoken openly about tinnitus, the ringing or hissing sound that people hear when no outside sound is present. Here is what he has said, why metal musicians face a real risk, and what anyone can do to look after their hearing.
What Devin Townsend has said about tinnitus
In a 2015 interview with Decibel magazine, Townsend said plainly that he has tinnitus and described his ears as hissing all the time. The remark was not the focus of the conversation. It came up while he was explaining why he was losing interest in very heavy music at that point in his career.
That is the extent of what he shared in the interview, so it is best to take it at face value: a working musician noting a constant hiss in his ears as one part of a bigger reflection on his music. He did not go into causes or care, and nothing more should be read into it.
Why metal musicians are at risk
Heavy music is built on volume. Stacked guitar amps, fast double-kick drumming and powerful vocal monitors can push stage levels far beyond what ears are designed to handle for long. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends an average limit of 85 decibels over eight hours, and every extra 3 decibels halves the safe time. At louder levels, the allowed time shrinks to minutes. Repeated exposure can damage the tiny hair cells in the inner ear, a condition called noise-induced hearing loss, and tinnitus often travels with it. Common sources of risk include:
- Amplifier stacks. Standing in front of loud cabinets night after night adds up across a tour.
- Drums and cymbals. Cymbal crashes are sharp, high-frequency sounds right beside the drummer’s ears.
- Rehearsal rooms. Small, hard-walled spaces reflect sound and keep levels high for hours.
- Studio sessions. Long mixing days on loud monitors or headphones tire the ears even without a crowd.
- Being a fan. Standing near the front at shows exposes listeners to the same high levels.
Practical hearing-protection habits for heavy music
Hearing protection does not have to ruin the sound. Modern musician’s earplugs lower volume fairly evenly across the frequencies, so riffs and vocals still come through clearly. These habits help whether you play on stage or stand in the crowd:
| Habit | How to do it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Filtered earplugs | Wear high-fidelity or custom-molded plugs at every rehearsal and show | Lowers sound reaching the inner ear while keeping tone natural |
| Smarter amp placement | Tilt cabinets toward your head instead of your knees and turn down | You hear more clearly at a lower volume |
| Studio breaks | Mix at moderate levels and rest your ears every hour | Reduces fatigue and the total noise dose |
| Daily ear support | A formula you have reviewed with your doctor | Everyday support for ears and mind |
Free sound meter apps from reputable sources can give you a rough idea of how loud your practice space really is. A yearly hearing test is the best way to catch early changes.
What tinnitus is, in plain terms
Tinnitus is the sense of hearing sound, such as ringing, hissing, buzzing or roaring, without an outside source. Most cases are subjective, meaning only the person can hear it. A rare type, called objective tinnitus, can sometimes be heard by a doctor with a stethoscope and may be linked to blood flow or muscle movement near the ear. Common triggers include noise exposure, age-related hearing changes, earwax, ear infections and some medicines.
For many people the sound becomes less bothersome over time as the brain learns to tune it out, a process called habituation. Sound therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and, when there is hearing loss, well-fitted hearing aids are among the approaches audiologists and doctors use to help people manage it.
A closer look at the ZenCortex formula
Earplugs guard your hearing from the outside. For a daily habit on the inside, ZenCortex is a formula many people with ringing ears have been talking about, and a lot of them now keep it as a regular part of their routine. ZenCortex is meant as simple everyday support for hearing and mental clarity. The company describes it as a liquid formula with over 20 carefully selected ingredients, made in the USA, non-habit forming and free of stimulants. Among them:✓ Official site · Free US shipping on 6 bottles · 60-day money-back guarantee See today’s price →
- Grape seed and green tea, two sources of plant antioxidants
- Panax ginseng and astragalus, herbs with a long traditional use for vitality and clarity
- Gymnema sylvestre and capsicum annuum, part of the botanical blend
- Chromium picolinate and maca root, included for overall energy and well-being
How to get started today
- Get a hearing test. An audiologist can check both ears, record a baseline and fit custom musician’s earplugs.
- Track loud days. Our free Tinnitus Diary lets you connect rehearsals, gigs and studio sessions with how loud the hiss feels the next morning.
- Add daily support for ears and mind. This is where many readers choose ZenCortex as their everyday habit.
- Choose the best value. The 6-bottle package has the lowest price per bottle, free US shipping and two bonus e-books.
- $49 per bottle on the 6-bottle package (save $780)
- Free US shipping on every 6-bottle order
- 2 free bonus e-books on hearing and memory
- 60-day money-back guarantee
Common questions
Does Devin Townsend have tinnitus?
He has said so. In a 2015 Decibel interview, he said he has tinnitus and that his ears hiss all the time.
Can one loud concert cause lasting tinnitus?
Ringing after a single show often fades within a day or two, but very loud sound can cause lasting damage, and repeated nights add up. If ringing or muffled hearing does not settle, see an audiologist or doctor.
Do musician’s earplugs make music sound worse?
Good ones lower volume more evenly than foam plugs, so music sounds quieter but still balanced. Custom-molded versions from an audiologist usually give the most natural sound and the best fit.
Where can I buy it?
Through the official website, which lists the bottle packages, the two bonus e-books and the 60-day money-back guarantee.
In summary
Devin Townsend has said in a Decibel interview that he lives with constant hissing in his ears. Heavy music is loud by nature, and the inner ear does not repair noise damage on its own, so the safest path is steady protection: filtered earplugs, smarter amp placement, moderate studio levels and regular hearing checks. Any one-sided, pulsing or sudden change deserves a prompt medical visit.
With your earplugs in your gig bag and a hearing check booked, now is the perfect time to try ZenCortex, with free shipping on every 6-bottle order and a 60-day money-back guarantee.✓ Official site · Free US shipping on 6 bottles · 60-day money-back guarantee See today’s price →
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