Prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss in student musicians

Abstract

Abstract:This study describes the prevalence and characteristics of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in student musicians (N = 329) aged 18-25 years. Students completed a questionnaire regarding exposures before a hearing assessment. NIHL was defined by the presence of a notch 15 dB in depth at 4000 or 6000 Hz relative to the best preceding threshold. Overall prevalence of NIHL was 45%, with 78% of notches occurring at 6000 Hz. The proportion of the total population with bilateral notching at any frequency was 11.5%, mostly occurring at 6000 Hz. There was a significant increase in the frequency of notching in students who reported more than two hours per day of personal practice. There were no significant associations for instrument group or other noise exposures. The data suggest that susceptibility to NIHL among students of music is not uniform and cannot be ascribed solely to the instrument played and other exposures. Students with bilateral losses tend to have deeper notches and may represent a group that has an inherent predisposition to NIHL. SumarioEste estudio describe la prevalencia y las características de la hipoacusia inducida por ruido (NIHL) en estudiantes de música (N = 329) con edades entre 18 y 25 años. Los estudiantes completaron un cuestionario sobre exposición a ruido antes de la evaluación auditiva. Se definió NIHL como la presencia de una muesca de 15dB en 4000 o 6000Hz con relación al mejor umbral precedente. La prevalencia general de NIHL fue de 44%, con 78% de las muescas en 6,000 Hz. La proporción de la población total con muescas bilaterales en cualquier frecuencia fue de 11.5%, en su mayoría a 6,000 Hz. Hubo un incremento significativo en la frecuencia de la muescas en los estudiantes que reportaban más de dos horas al día de práctica profesional. No hubo una asociación significativa con grupos de instrumentos u otra exposición a ruido. Los datos sugieren que la susceptibilidad a NIHL entre los estudiantes de música no es uniforme y no puede atribuirse solamente al instrumento tocado o a otras exposiciones. Los estudiantes con pérdida bilateral tienden a tener muescas más profundas y pueden representar un grupo que tenga una predisposición inherente a la NIHL.Keywords: Noise-induced hearing loss, Music-related hearing loss, Prevalence of hearing loss, Predisposition Article:Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most prevalent sensorineural hearing loss after presbycusis. Prevalence of NIHL increases with continued exposure and advancing age. The prevention of NIHL will require a better understanding of its prevalence in the population and contributing exposure factors.NIHL can be caused by a single traumatic impulse sound but is more typically caused by repeated exposures to high intensity sound. According to NIOSH recommendations for the prevention of NIHL, high intensity sound exposure involves a time-intensity trade-off that begins with an allowable eight-hour exposure at 85 dBA, decreasing the time exposed by half for every three dB increase in intensity. Sound exposure measur...

Limiares auditivos em músicos militares: convencionais e altas frequências

“…The percentage of hearing disorders found in this study is similar to another analysis that assessed the hearing of percussionists, and found 39% of hearing loss and a higher proportion of hearing disorders when compared to the control group, which was equivalent in terms of gender and age (16) . In a study with 329 music students (aged between 18 and 25 years), there was no evidence of hearing loss, but of acoustic notch in 45% of the students (78% of them presented acoustic notch in 6,000 Hz and 22% in 4,000 Hz) (17) . Other studies also found hearing disorders among musicians, but not at high proportions; however, they observed acoustic notch in the frequencies of 4,000 or 6,000 Hz, more often than expected when compared to non-musicians, considering the same age and gender (1,3,8,9,(18)(19)(20) .…”

Prevalência de perda auditiva em adolescentes e adultos jovens decorrentes de exposição a ruído social: meta-análise

“…Five papers considered high frequency tonal threshold, classifying mild hearing loss from 16dB and observed prevalence near 15% [24][25][26][27][28][29] . Four studies considered the mean of three frequencies (i.e.…”

Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-2011-0129-3160, noise evaluation of elementary and high school music classes and indoor marching band rehearsals - Alabama.

“…In one study, students had a high risk of excessive noise exposure from social and study-based music activities [Barlow 2010]. In another study, the prevalence of NIHL in 329 student musicians aged 18 to 25 years was 45% compared to 11.5% in the general population [Phillips et al 2010]. Although these studies surveyed undergraduate student musicians, many high school student musicians pursue musical study in college, attend loud concerts or nightclubs, and listen to loud music on personal music listening devices or stereos.…”