Characteristics of Noise Exposure During Solitary Trumpet Playing

Abstract

During solitary play, trumpeters generate noise levels that temporarily decrease DPOAE amplitudes and that by themselves have the potential to result in permanent noise-induced hearing loss. Trumpeters who practice/perform over a period of years should be concerned about the implications of their craft on their hearing and should be offered personalized hearing conservation programs. The use of earplugs offers a practical and cost-effective means of hearing protection and, for this group of trumpeters, did not lead to an increase in playing level.

Distortion product otoacoustic emissions in college music majors and nonmusic majors

“…It has previously been found that specific sessions of music exposure led to reductions in college music students’ OAE amplitudes when measured within 2-10 min after the exposure. [ 6 8 ] In another previous study, however, no abnormalities in TEOAE amplitudes were found among university marching band members. [ 7 ] None of these previous studies included a control group to determine whether the music students’ OAEs differed from those of nonmusic students.…”

“…Music students’ data collection sessions were rescheduled if they had been playing or rehearsing within the previous hour, based on previous research that found that DPOAE amplitudes recovered within less than 1 dB of prerehearsal levels within that timeframe. [ 8 ] It was also not possible to allow a longer interval for the music students because of the many hours per week that they spent rehearsing. Music majors were also queried regarding their primary instrument, number of years they had been playing an instrument, and approximate total hours per week spent practicing individually and in ensembles, bands, and orchestras.…”

“…Potentially dangerous sound exposure levels can also occur during solitary practice sessions. [ 8 ] Using microphones pinned to the participants, L eq values were measured for eight college trumpet players during one individual 1-h practice session, and for seven trumpet players during two additional individual practice sessions. During the second of these sessions, the musicians wore E.A.R earplugs.…”

“…[ 6 ] Following trumpet players’ solitary practice sessions, they experienced significant decreases in their DPOAE amplitudes and pure-tone thresholds. [ 8 ] Their DPOAE amplitudes recovered to within less than 1 dB of preexposure levels within 40-60 min after rehearsal. On the other hand, amateur brass musicians did not experience significant changes in DPOAE amplitudes pre- versus postrehearsal.…”

“…[ 4 5 6 7 8 ] Previous studies on college music students have found some short-term reductions in OAE amplitudes within a few minutes after practice sessions or ensemble activities[ 6 8 ] but there is lack of information on longstanding or permanent effects on OAEs for college music majors as compared to a control group. OAEs may be more sensitive to noise-induced cochlear damage than audiometry, at least for military noise and industrial noise[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 ] but there is lack of information about the effectiveness of OAEs for early detection of music-induced cochlear damage. If damage can be detected early by the use of OAEs, then steps could be taken to prevent further deterioration such as reducing the amount of harmful exposure or using hearing protection devices.…”