Bite #12: Mixing In-Ear Monitors (IEMs) for Hard-of-Hearing Musicians
In-ear monitors (IEMs) are important tools for many hard-of-hearing musicians, allowing the user to customize sound isolation, adjust frequencies, and minimize ambient noise. For musicians with hearing loss, common challenges include hearing key frequencies, managing feedback, and isolating instruments. Custom IEM mixes, created in collaboration with sound technicians, help address these issues.
Musicians are four times more likely to develop noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and face high risks of tinnitus and permanent hearing damage from prolonged exposure to loud sound levels. Tools like IEMs, ear protection, and careful mixing practices safeguard hearing.
Sound techs play an important role in tailoring the IEM setup to the performer’s needs, so they can hear themselves and their bandmates clearly. This helps them hit their best notes and stay “in the pocket”.
Musicians are four times more likely to develop noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and face high risks of tinnitus and permanent hearing damage from prolonged exposure to loud sound levels. Tools like IEMs, ear protection, and careful mixing practices safeguard hearing.
Sound techs play an important role in tailoring the IEM setup to the performer’s needs, so they can hear themselves and their bandmates clearly. This helps them hit their best notes and stay “in the pocket”.
Fig A: IEM earpiece with built-in ambient microphone. Fig B: In-ear-monitor (IEM)
belt pack and earpieces, depicted with “microphone outputs” and “monitor input”
ports and operating mode switches. The Hearing Review.
This amp goes to eleven
Setting The Stage
A hard-of-hearing rhythm guitarist arrives for sound check with their own custom-fit in-ear monitor that uses Bluetooth and wired outputs, and needing two channels on the venue’s mixing board. The sound technician says there’s no time and to just use the floor monitors like everybody else. The guitarist feels frustrated and unheard, not given an opportunity to advocate for their needs due to the fast-pace and other bands waiting.
Reflection
How does your venue approach clear and respectful communication between sound technicians and performers before and during sound checks?
Actions
When mixing in-ear monitors (IEMs), there are general best practices like gain staging, compression, and EQ that apply to all live mixes. Below are a few specific tips for mixing IEMs for Hard of Hearing musicians.
Signal Processing
Collaborative Communication
Equipment Compatibility and Maintenance
- Use parametric EQ to focus on clarity, reducing muddiness and cutting harsh tones.
- Adjust the mix to highlight elements like vocals or lead instruments without overpowering other sounds.
- Apply light compression to manage dynamics, smoothing out volume spikes while keeping the performance natural.
- Balance gain levels carefully on every channel to avoid clipping or distortion. Check for consistent levels during sound checks to maintain a clean and reliable mix.
- Ask if they would like some of the ambient room mic in their mix.
- Adding some ambient sound can help them feel more connected to the stage environment and audience, adding a sense of “real-world” context to their isolated mix.
- Some may prefer completely isolated, clean mix, free of effects processing
Collaborative Communication
- Encourage musicians to include specific needs in their technical rider and access rider
- Work with the artist to identify frequencies they rely on or find challenging (like mids for vocal clarity or reduced bass to avoid distortion).
- Use accessible communication tools like tablets, visualizers, or printed guides
Equipment Compatibility and Maintenance
- Equip mixing boards that support Bluetooth or FM devices commonly used with hearing aids or cochlear implants.
- Use mixing boards or external tools with built-in RTAs (Real-Time Analyzers) or spectrum analyzers to visually monitor and adjust frequencies
- Keep adapters, turnarounds, cables, and other tools on hand for quick integration
- For analog boards with limited aux sends, daisy chain a small secondary mixer to the main board for independent IEM control without impacting the house mix.
Resources:
