In a historic move prioritizing musician health, the Colorado Symphony has equipped all 80 of its full-time musicians with state-of-the-art Sensaphonics 3DME active hearing protection, made possible thanks to a generous donor gift. This investment, which allows each musician to customize their hearing experience through an app-controlled system, places the Symphony among a select few peer organizations – including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Metropolitan Opera, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic – that have made hearing protection a priority.
The Unseen Threat: Hearing Loss in Orchestras
For a professional musician, their hearing is their most valuable asset. Yet, with sound levels in large orchestral performances at Boettcher Concert Hall and other venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre at times exceeding 90 decibels (dB), the risk of long-term hearing damage is a serious concern. Despite this, the industry standard has not traditionally included investment in custom hearing protection, leaving many musicians vulnerable to noise-induced hearing loss over time.
While traditional over-the-counter earplugs can offer protection, they don’t effectively allow musicians to hear the rest of the orchestra around them. Recognizing this gap, the Colorado Symphony made a mission-driven decision to protect its musicians without compromising artistic integrity. The Sensaphonics 3DME system not only acts as high-fidelity, custom-molded earplugs that reduce overall volume without sacrificing sound quality but also serves as in-ear monitors for amplified performances at venues like Red Rocks.
“The Colorado Symphony’s decision to equip its musicians with the world’s most advanced custom hearing protection devices is one of the most forward-thinking investments in musicians’ health and performance I have ever seen,” said Caleb Kronen, Au.D., CPS/A, Doctor of Audiology, Director of Hearing Conservation, Certified Professional Supervisor in Audiometric Monitoring for the Marion Downs Center and one of the key stakeholder in the initiative. “The Symphony is not just ahead of the curve—they are setting the standard.”
A Partnership in Prevention: Marion Downs Center
This groundbreaking initiative has been guided by the Marion Downs Center, a nonprofit “Center of Excellence” in Denver that has been at the forefront of hearing loss prevention for musicians since 1972. Since 2019, the Center has worked closely with the Colorado Symphony, conducting hearing tests and providing custom-molded filtered earplugs to musicians.
Dr. Caleb Kronen, a Doctor of Audiology and Director of the Hearing Conservation Program at Marion Downs, has played a crucial role in implementing best practices for musician hearing health. A former semi-professional musician himself, Dr. Kronen’s doctoral research focused on hearing protection for classical musicians.
“By partnering with the Marion Downs Center’s team of audiologists to implement this cutting-edge technology, educate musicians on hearing loss prevention, and provide hearing tests, the Colorado Symphony is taking a groundbreaking step in preserving its musicians’ most valuable asset: their hearing,” added Kronen. “These devices allow each musician to tailor their hearing protection to their unique needs, recognizing that every instrument and section presents different auditory challenges.”
Cutting-Edge Technology for Customized Protection
Starting in 2024, ten Colorado Symphony musicians began testing the Sensaphonics 3DME system with custom-molded tips, which ensured a secure fit, optimal sound quality, and better sanitation. Each unit with custom molding costs approximately $2,000, but the Marion Downs Center generously provided each unit to the symphony for a cost of $1,000 per unit. The Symphony also invested in 21 additional units for substitute musicians that come with standard earpieces at a cost of $800 per unit, as well as materials to safeguard and store the units on-site at Boettcher Concert Hall. In total, the orchestra will be outfitted with $100,000 in new hearing protection thanks to this generous gift.
Now, with the full Symphony adopting the technology, each musician will benefit from:
- Custom-molded tunable earplugs with adjustable sound levels via an app.
- The ability to function as high-fidelity in-ear monitors for amplified performances.
- A personal limiter to cap maximum sound levels for safety.
- Adjustable EQ settings to accommodate existing hearing injuries or enhance specific instrument sounds.
For Principal Percussionist John Kinzie, the investment in this technology is transformational. “Percussion instruments generate some of the highest decibel levels in an orchestra, and traditional hearing protection often dulls the nuances we need to hear. This system allows me to control my sound environment without losing clarity. It’s a game-changer.”
In Her Honor: A Legacy of Music and Generosity
Amid this initiative to protect musician hearing stands a tribute rooted in personal conviction and passion. This generous gift, which funded the Sensaphonics ear protection for all 80 full-time musicians, was made in memory of Penny Burke, a devoted music lover and steadfast advocate for hearing safety. She never attended a concert without her own earplugs, setting an example and often encouraging others to do the same.
Penny’s husband, Tim, felt there was no better way to honor her memory than with this gift to the symphony. “Penny was a passionate music lover and she left an indelible mark on everyone who knew her,” he said. “Her deep appreciation for the arts and the joy she found in music inspired those around her. In her memory, I am honored to make this contribution to the Colorado Symphony, a reflection of her love for music and her belief in its power to enrich lives.”
“For Penny, music was more than just a source of enjoyment; it was a fundamental part of her identity,” he continued. “She often expressed how music has the incredible ability to bring people together, creating shared experiences that transcend boundaries. Whether attending live performances, taking music cruises, or sharing her favorite artists with me or friends, her curiosity and enthusiasm for music were truly infectious. Beyond that, she was an advocate for ear protection during musical performances, and this donation to the Colorado Symphony is more than just a financial contribution in Penny’s name; it is a tribute to the talented musicians who make this orchestra exceptional. By supporting their hearing health, we help ensure that they can continue to share their remarkable gifts for years to come. I hope her story inspires others to embrace the power of music and to support the arts, just as she did.”
A Future-Proof Symphony
By prioritizing its musicians’ well-being, the Colorado Symphony is leading the charge in hearing conservation for orchestras nationwide. “Ensuring our musicians can perform at their best across all types of concert venues and configurations is not just an artistic decision, it’s a necessity,” said Music Director Peter Oundjian. “I have no doubt other orchestras will aspire to follow this bold and visionary move.”
“I am incredibly grateful to be part of this process because the Colorado Symphony is not just ahead of the curve—they are setting the standard,” added Kronen. “While this represents a significant financial investment, it is ultimately an investment in the longevity and well-being of their musicians, ensuring they can perform at their best across all types of concert venues and configurations, for their entire careers and beyond. The Colorado Symphony is not just embracing innovation; they are leading the way for the future of classical music.”
With this initiative, the Colorado Symphony is proving that innovation and tradition can go hand in hand, preserving the integrity of live music while safeguarding the artists who bring it to life. This step marks a new era where hearing protection is not just an option, but a standard in the world of classical music.
Testimonials:
John Kinzie, Principal Percussion: “I’ve had the opportunity to wear my new Sensaphonic ear projection devices while performing with the Colorado Symphony. We were performing a concert with Lettuce at the Mission Ballroom to a loud, sold-out audience. It was great to have the opportunity to adjust the overall volume in my ears and even use the app on my phone to equalize the sound to my preference. I was able to turn down the heavy bass sounds and bring up the highs. The Sensaphonic ear plugs will definitely save my hearing while performing at all our various venues, especially Red Rocks, the Mission Ballroom, and of course our home, Boettcher Concert Hall.”
Brook Ferguson, Principal Flute: “With Sensaphonics in-ear monitors, you’re not just protecting your hearing — you’re elevating your performance. The custom-fit comfort makes them effortless to wear for hours, and the intuitive digital interface lets you dial in exactly what you need to hear, down to the frequency. In the chaos of a loud concert environment, that precision and control is a game-changer.”
Justin Bartels, Principal Trumpet: “We perform at so many venues like the iconic Red Rocks amphitheater with world class international recording artists. These shows are quite spectacular with massive amounts of sound reinforcement. Sensaphonic headphones are an invaluable tool to not only provide hearing protection for me, but they also allow me to perform at my best. We can’t thank Tim enough for his generous gift, and I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to use them in performance.”