Music Nomad - Support your Music in Many Ways

PRODUCE YOUR MUSIC

SELL YOUR MUSIC

SUPPORT YOUR MUSIC

Resources to keep you playing

Support Your Music » Musicians Health Support

After talking with many musicians about this serious issue, we spend a fair amount of time seeking out the best health services available to musicians.

Share |

QUALIFIED AND RANKED RESOURCES - Learn More

Rock for Health

Rock for Health seeks to educate artists on health issues, provide necessary medical information and be an advocate for musicians in regards to health insurance coverage and long-term care.

Hearos offers earplugs for musicians to help prevent hearing loss and damage from playing. They also have a free iPhone app that reads the decibel level in the room and suggests the best ear protection to prevent hearing loss.

Health Insurance Navigational Tool (HINT)

The Future of Music Coalition, non profit Music org, has developed a tool with the goal to provide musician-friendly free support and advice to curious musicians who need information about health insurance. There are both articles that give an overview of the options available for musicians as well as free telephone advice service where you can talk to an insurance expert about your situation to understand your options.

Future of Music

General information on musician’s health insurance and background on issue and where to go for help.

The "heart and soul" of MusiCares is the Emergency Financial Assistance Program that provides critical funds for music people struggling with financial, medical or personal crises. This program offers financial assistance for medical expenses including doctor, dental and hospital bills, prescriptions, addiction recovery treatment, psychotherapy, treatment for HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and other critical illnesses, as well as basic living expenses such as rent and utilities.

AFM (American Federation of Musicians)

AFTRA, founded in 1937, covers more than 70,000 performers across forms of broadcast media. They offer similar member benefits to AFM (collective bargaining, health/pension plans, etc.) and have an extensive section on their website about their health care plan.

AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists)

AFM was founded in 1896 as a way of organizing more than 3,000 musicians within the United States. Today, AFM covers more than 90,000 musicians in the United States and Canada. They offer the benefits of collective bargaining, instrument insurance, access to referrals within the industry, pension and health care plans to members.

They provide access to doctors and discounted prescriptions, among other things, for $39.99/month for a band and crew up to 15 members.

Music Pro Insurance

Music Pro insurance known for it insurance to musicians in equipment, touring and more also has partnered with insurance companies that are more musician friendly. This link talks about it.

Non-profit who help youth find ways towards healthy futures through mentoring, educational, and live performance based programs.

Sweet Relief provides financial assistance to all types of career musicians who are facing illness, disability, or age-related problems

Custom fit hearing protection designed for musicians

Visit our Virtual Band Manager Program

Become A Resource

Do you have a resource that you think might help the other musicians out there? APPLY NOW to be added to our ever growing list of resources.

Become A Resource

Read about our ranking system

Click here to get Music Nomad gear

Category Tips

Author: ROCK FOR HEALTH

96% of musicians lack healthcare. When an artist cancels shows because of illness, it infects the entire industry, straight down to the fans.

Author: ROCK FOR HEALTH

Today health insurance companies consider musicians an "at risk" population due to legitimate occupational health risks - road travel, hearing damage, and repetitive stress disorders.

Author: ROCK FOR HEALTH

Always warm up physically before you sing. In particular, stretch and loosen up your neck, shoulders, and upper back. Repeat after singing, to allow cooling down.

Author: ROCK FOR HEALTH

Singers - If you have a sore throat, remember vocal rest and hydration. Vocal rest means no singing, no shouting, no whispering, no forcing, and limit your phone calls. Hydration means water, not tea/coffee or alcohol.

Author: ROCK FOR HEALTH

Try to get your booking agent to arrange for well rounded healthy meals, either at the hotel or venue - or use your per diems wisely to make sure you're eating a balanced diet.

Author: ROCK FOR HEALTH

Do quick stretching throughout the day - it helps relieve stress and exercises your muscles. Try bringing a volleyball or soccer ball for some gas station games.

Author: ROCK FOR HEALTH

Make sure someone in the band has health and safety responsibilities and make sure that there is an adequately stocked first aid kit in the van or on the tour bus.

Author: ROCK FOR HEALTH

Keep significantly hydrated when in air-conditioned space - like a plane. This is important for singers, as the dehydrating effect of air-conditioning can make singing difficult. Wrapping your throat up can also help prevent drying of the throat.

Author: ROCK FOR HEALTH

Once hearing damage occurs, there is usually no cure. If you start experiencing hearing problems, such as a ringing in your ears, you need to get professional help.

Author: Hearos

Your hearing can not be replaced or renewed...once it is gone, it's gone

Author: Hearos

Hearing damage...it can take just one exposure to high decibel sound to develop tinnitus, the permanent ringing in the ears

Author: Hearos

If your ears are ringing, your body is telling you the music is too loud

Author: Hearos

Rule of thumb to protect your hearing, if you have to speak above a normal conversational level to be heard, the music is too loud.