Photo © Thommy Mardo

“Tinnitus education and the work of tinnitus research are very important, in my opinion, because this phenomenon is an irreversible problem that can have a huge impact on the quality of life.

In this day and age, it is almost impossible to escape the noise pollution in public areas and in our noisy world, silence has become a luxury that many ears cannot even enjoy on a regular basis. Our senses in general have been deteriorating since the age of industrialization. For me as a musician, however, hearing protection is particularly obvious – also because the stress that is part of the development, but also the accompanying symptoms of a tinnitus disease, can cause serious damage to health that only appears later. Apart from that, the ear is also the seat of our sense of balance and can lead to far-reaching and unexpected consequences if disturbed.

I therefore consider the work of the German Tinnitus and Hearing Foundation Charité to be a project that is extremely worthy of support, as it generates awareness in society of the phenomenon of tinnitus and its consequences and thus makes a major contribution to health.”

Joseph Moog
Pianist and composer
www.josephmoog.com

Photo © Simon Heydorn, Yamaha

“I think tinnitus research is important because undisturbed silence is still the best music to my ears! Education about tinnitus and protecting hearing are important because too many people are careless with their hearing.”

Johannes Moser
Cellist
www.johannes-moser.com

Photo © Marco Borggreve

“As a cellist, I need a healthy ear that I can rely on in my day-to-day work. With this, we all take the music into our souls. Interfering with that would be tantamount to ending my job as a musician. Unfortunately, millions of people have to deal with tinnitus problems every day, which reduce the quality of life enormously. With the right research, prevention and education, which already starts with necessary information about the mindful use of hearing in young people, this widespread disease will be treated and managed in the best possible way in the future, and that is enormously important. That’s why I’m very, very happy to support the German Tinnitus Foundation Charité, because together we are the strongest!”

Harriet Krijgh
Cellist
www.harrietkrijgh.com

Photo © Kristof Fischer

“I think tinnitus research is important because the increased frequency of the condition is significantly impacting quality of life and performance for more and more people. I think education about tinnitus and hearing protection is important because very many people are not aware of the risks such as stress and noise as a cause of tinnitus – this is especially true for young people.”

Georg Kallweit
Violinist
www.akamus.de

Photo © Franz Hamm

“I think tinnitus research is important because intact hearing is invaluable to musicians and their audiences.”

Frank Peter Zimmermann
Violinist
kocyanartists.com/frank-peter-zimmermann-violin

Photo © Lisa Mazzucco

“At the Emerson String Quartet, we think great art is an essential part of a fulfilling life. People perceive music, art, theater, dance, literature and film through their senses. It is important to protect our sight and hearing so that we can continue to communicate with others, care for ourselves and our loved ones, and preserve access to humanity’s greatest cultural treasures. We, as musicians, strongly believe in the importance of the aesthetic message that we carry to many parts of the globe and we want the audience to be able to process and understand the thoughts and feelings of those who have become the guiding stars of our civilization.

We have heard that tinnitus is often a first sign of hearing loss. We urge all those who notice this troubling symptom to consult a hearing specialist to learn what may be causing the problem and what can be done to alleviate it. In an increasingly noisy society, where the inner sense of peace and balance is often assaulted by relentless noise and electronic amplification, it is essential to protect the delicate mechanisms through which we participate in the world of sound.”

Emerson String Quartet
String Quartet Ensemble
www.emersonquartet.com

Photo © Denis Felix

“I think education about tinnitus and hearing protection is important because I can tell you from personal experience how awful it is when you can’t hear the appropriate sounds to what you’re seeing…. For us musicians especially terrible, but yet for every person, because you get the feeling of going crazy: The tinnitus accompanies and disturbs us not only in our social life, but, and this is even more intimate and much worse, when we are alone and want to have peace. Advances in tinnitus research can help many of us get rid of it, or at least live better with it.”

Emmanuel Pahud
Flutist
www.emmanuelpahud.net

Photo © Johannes Ritter

“Fortunately, I’ve never been affected myself, but tinnitus is unfortunately a big musician issue. That’s why I think tinnitus research is important. I would rather hear flute notes than a whistling sound in my ear, be able to decide for myself what is ‘in my ear’.”

Dorothee Oberlinger
Recorder player
www.dorotheeoberlinger.de

The 12 Cellists – world-renowned cello group of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra – , have supported the foundation since the beginning. On 25.9.2011 they gave a benefit concert together with three other ensembles of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Martin Menking is a member of the foundation’s board of directors: “Hearing is probably the most important asset of any musician. This is trained and nurtured throughout our lives, and perhaps because of this, we in particular are sensitive to any kind of change and restriction. It is therefore natural that we support the work of the German Foundation Tinnitus and Hearing Charité.”

The 12 Cellists of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
www.die12cellisten.de

Photo © Øo Firefly

“All those who have not yet been affected by tinnitus can consider themselves lucky, because you have no idea how horrible this condition is. I myself was affected and it was 50/50 whether a cure would occur or not. I am well again. To my knowledge, the cause and therapy have not yet been clarified. And: It can affect anyone. That’s why I’m a clear supporter of the German Foundation Tinnitus and Hearing Charité and ask for support from the bottom of my heart.”

David Canisius
Solo violinist and artistic director of the Capital Dance Orchestra
www.capital-dance.com/orchester