David Campbell on why good hearing is an artist’s ultimate instrument

Behind the heavy velvet of a closed theatre curtain, an orchestra begins to tune up. It is a flurry of strings, woodwinds and brass finding their collective pitch. For singer, actor and TV presenter David Campbell, this precise moment is pure backstage magic.

“There’s really nothing like it,” David says, his face lighting up with an unmistakable performer’s grin. “You hear the orchestra tune up, and that’s when you know, OK, we’re about to start. It’s so exciting.”

David has spent his entire life under stage lights, inside recording booths and hosting live television. In his world, sound isn’t just an ambient element of the job; it is his internal compass. “Sound is my rhythm,” he explains. “It’s how I cue my life. And if that sound is off, then the whole performance feels out of sync.”

In the entertainment industry, auditory precision is non-negotiable. A professional musician would never dream of walking onto a stage with a cracked guitar, an out-of-tune piano or a microphone that keeps cutting out. David argues that we need to treat our own ears with that exact same professional respect.

“In this industry, your ears are the most tuned instrument you have,” he notes.

Yet, while millions of Australians diligently maintain their spectacles and dental health, many frequently treat hearing as an afterthought. Recent YouGov consumer research commissioned by Specsavers highlights a stark disconnect between our past lifestyles and our current health habits.

The survey revealed that more than half of older Australians (52 per cent) frequently listened to loud or live music when they were younger. For a generation raised on pub rock, local gigs and festivals, those thumping basslines are badges of honour — but they leave a lifelong footprint on our ears. Despite this high exposure, nearly half of Australians (45 per cent) admit it has been longer than a year since their last hearing check, and one in six Australians over the age of 55 (17 per cent) have never had their hearing tested at all.

The core issue isn’t a lack of access, but a lack of awareness. For those who delay booking an appointment, over half (51 per cent) say they simply don’t think they need one. There appears to be a common assumption that hearing loss is an all-or-nothing game — that unless you live in total silence, your ears are operating at 100 per cent.

For David, the true risk of letting your hearing health slide isn’t just missing a musical cue on stage; it’s the subtle, irreversible erosion of moments at home.

“Even at home, it’s the pitch of my kids’ voices,” David says. “When they’re excited, when they’re upset... if you’re not hearing those nuances, you’re not in the moment. You’re just missing lines. You’re not there. You’re missing the heartbeat of connection.”

Melissa Chandler, senior audiologist at Specsavers Australia says the research shows a really concerning trend for those experiencing hearing difficulties. “A staggering 61 per cent of Australians who struggle to hear in conversations find themselves resorting to passive withdrawal strategies,” she explains.