The Rareform Rundown: Music, Media & Sync
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What the Data Is Starting to Show About Musicians’ Hearing

What the Data Is Starting to Show About Musicians’ Hearing

Nathan Fields
April 03, 2026

The Rareform Rundown #107

Hello Friends,

Nathan here. Just wanted to check in, hope things have been good on your end and you’ve had a chance to catch your breath a bit this week. Dropping in with a couple quick reads, one takes a look at a new study around hearing health in musicians and what it’s starting to show, and the other digs into how the Mega Marvin is finding its way into modern horror scoring in a really different way.

Let’s dive in!

New projects + music we are looking for

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Excited to share another spot for Toyota Motorsports, this time featuring the instrumental version of our track GO BIG OR GO HOME by Glenwood!

Across the music world, there’s been a lot of conversation lately around long-term health, and a new study is adding some real data to that discussion. A recently published review looked at tens of thousands of musicians from around the globe and found that hearing-related issues are showing up at noticeably higher rates compared to the general population. It covers everyone from casual players to full-time professionals, across genres, and starts to paint a clearer picture of what consistent exposure to sound can lead to over time. It’s a topic that hits close to home for anyone involved in music, whether you're creating, performing, or just around it every day.

Click below and read more on our site.

Musicians Face Elevated Hearing Risks: Global Review Highlights Industry-Wide Concern

A global review of 28,000+ musicians reveals higher rates of hearing loss, tinnitus, and hyperacusis across all genres. The findings highlight ongoing concerns around sound exposure and the need for better hearing protection in the music industry.

Rareform Audio

There’s been a noticeable shift in how horror is being shaped sonically, and it’s not coming from bigger sounds, it’s coming from stranger ones. As more films move away from the familiar playbook, tools like the Mega Marvin are starting to show up in the conversation. It’s not built to follow traditional ideas of melody or structure, and that’s kind of the point. The sounds feel raw, uneven, and unpredictable, which naturally creates tension without forcing it. Instead of telling the audience how to feel, it leaves them sitting in something that doesn’t quite settle.

If you’re curious how this approach is being used, you can read more on our site!

The Mega Marvin: Why Unpredictability Is Becoming a Core Tool in Modern Horror Scoring

The Mega Marvin is changing horror scoring through unpredictable, texture-driven sound. This custom instrument highlights a shift away from traditional composition toward immersive sound design in film and games. Explore how this approach is shaping modern audio.

Rareform Audio