Figure 1 – Having wax build-up can lead to temporary tinnitus. Permanent damage can easily come from excessively loud amplifiers.

Tinnitus can come from a few sources, such as wax buildup or a bad sinus infection. These sources are usually temporary, as they can be fixed. Guitar players are at higher risk for permanent tinnitus because o the loud noises that guitarists are exposed to. Playing on high volumes can very well damage ears after every session- and eventually cause permanent damage.

In more scientific terms, pain actually starts to begin at 120 decibels. A decibel is a unit of measurement for noise- the larger the number, the more risk is taken. Out of all the musical instruments, guitars are some of the loudest- with amplifiers very well capable of 120 decibels and over. Rock concerts come in at 150 decibels- where tinnitus is almost guaranteed to make a presence, and will surely be noticeable after the concert.

Figure 2 – Have a case of tinnitus? Make sure to lay off the alcohol, caffeine, and even aspirin!

If the damage has een done, whether temporary or seemingly more permanent, there are a few things that can be done to prevent more damage. Taking aspirin, alcohol, certain drugs, and even caffeine will worsen the condition. It is recommended that exposure to noise be limited if tinnitus is being experienced. Only with time will tinnitus reduce in effect, unless it has become permanent. In this case, more specific treatments are required.

The prospect of knowing the ringing sound heard by tinnitus sufferers will not go away is very frightening. Certain hearing aids and surgeries can mask the noise of the ringing, so sufferers of tinnitus can experience a bit of peace. Sadly, there is little research into the condition- and a cure is not available. Until a viable cure has been developed, further prevention and masking remain to be some of the very few choices tinnitus victims have.

Figure 3 - Playing loud doesn’t always mean playing good. Reach for the volume knob when things get noisy.

Overall, prevention is important to avoiding tinnitus. High volumes can make a great guitar riff ten times as good- but breaks should be taken. If loud sound can not be avoided, it is best to take 30 minutes breaks when possible- usually when hearing loss is noticed. There are custom fit earplugs available that can decrease frequencies on all levels by the same amount- so sound and music won’t be distorted. Cheaper brands will of course distort music, but are cheaper. In any event, it should be noted that toilet paper and a little creativity will do nothing- at least, nothing beneficial. In all seriousness, consider turning the volume down a little for the next jam session to keep your playing career both long and enjoyable.

• Guiar Calluses
• Crippling Guitar Injuries 

Figure 1 - Repetitive movements can easily cause injury without warming up. 

The most common form of this type of disabling injury is called repetitive strain injury, or RSI. This can disable a guitarist’s hand anywhere from a week, to permanently; depending on the severity of the situation. RSI omes as a direct result of poor posture or repetitive movements. While computer users may contract this via using a keyboard, guitarists can get it even easier through repetitive hand movements.

Focal hand dystonia is a more serious threat to guitar players, although it is rarer than RSI. Focal hand dystonia causes fingers to curl up into the palm, or extend outwards without control. This condition rarely causes pain, but does cripple the hand almost completely. For now, the condition is somewhat permanent- although botox injections have been said to work for temporary solutions.

Figure 2 - Leon Fleisher is a popular pianist with the crippling condition of focal hand dystonia. Notice the posture of right hand. 

Injurie such as repetitive strain injury and focal hand dystonia can ruin careers, or a hobby at the very least. It is important to get to know why these disabilities happen- which is usually poor posture. Before playing, it is recommended that warm-up exercises are used. In fact, playing on the guitar should not start until hands are warm. Playing with cool hands means poor circulation- which can maximize risk for injury.

The most important rule when avoiding injury is to stop playing when experiencing pain. When an arm, hand, or wrist hurts- it is time to take a break. Knowing when not to play can be the best prevention of disabilities. Each time play is continued while experiencing pain, damage is being done to the hand. It is more likely that a case of repetitive strain injury will result, but the fear of focal hand dystonia should be enough to make anyone consider a 30 minute break.

What if the damage has already been done? There is still hope for improving th condition. Massage therapy, hot/cold therapy, and plenty of rest can help reverse the conditions in early stages. Above all, observing proper posture can be the best solution. Proper posture is obtained when the hand does not feel pain after playing for an extended amount of time. Otherwise, lowering or raising the guitar and changing hand positions can help find the best posture.

Figure 3 - Even professionals like Kirk Hammett (Metallica) have to warm-up before playing, to prevent injury. 

Imagine Kirk Hammett of Metallica getting a crippling condition such as focal hand dystonia. Thankfully, the condition isn’t too widespread- and most guitar players are learning to take breaks when needed. As new guitar owners are learning to play, it is important to keep these guidelines in mind.

• Guitar Players and the Deadly Tinnitus
• Guitar Calluses

Figure 1 - You won’t have the best looking hand in the world- but it can play a mean guitar!

Calluses are thickened or hard parts of a certain area of skin. This is a result of rubbing, or pressure, and no doubt they have been experienced before on feet or hands. The thing about playing the guitar is, most pople don’t already have hardened fingertips- specifically the index finger. As a newcomer begins to play more and more guitar, it will become more apparent that fingertips may feel tender. This can even affect guitar playing, and it is best to wait the tenderness out and wait for skin to harden. Taking a few days away from the guitar will help skin develop- and let you play much longer and harder the next time.

Not everyone likes the idea of hardened finger tips. For instance, feeling in the fingertip will essentially be gone. The extra hardened layer of skin will make soft materials invisible to touch- such as silk or skin. For these people, there are alternatives that will most likely make them look more foolish than desired. From taping fingertips, to putting on band aids- to even using enough lotion to make your parents wondering what you’re doing with all of it. However, most people settle with the idea, and of course still have the plucking hand to experience soft ouch (of course, if a plectrum is used).

Looking to bypass the grooves, puffiness, and red flushing of the fingertips? There are a few tricks of the trade to get calluses to form faster. Soaking fingertips in rubbing alcohol for a minute or two each day will dry out the skin on fingertips- and will make calluses form much faster. Interestingly, rock climbers have the same need for calluses- and have a device to build them much faster. This device is small, ridged, and is meant to be scraped continually against fingertips. If desired, they can be bought at most hobby shops, but a makeshift device can be used as well (sandpaper would be unusually efficient).

Figure 2 - Whoever said playing the guitar was easy needs to rethink that statement!

Ultimately, building calluses takes practice and patience. Some harder to get calluses, such as the pinky finger, can take months or even a year to develop. The process can’t be bypassed completely, however, and red, puffy, fingertips should be expected for newcomers. If all else fails, get a little help from everyday objects such as rubbing alcohol or sandpaper (be careful- you don’ want to cause damage! Gently rubbing sandpaper is good enough). With a little luck and determination, you too can achieve the calluses of a professional.

• Crippling Guitar Injuries
• Guitar Players and theDeadly Tinnitus