The Incidence of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss among Music Teachers

1994 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 318-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Cutietta ◽  
Richard J. Klich ◽  
David Royse ◽  
Harry Rainbolt

The purpose of this study was to compare the hearing acuity of three groups of music teachers: vocal, elementary instrumental, and high school instrumental. One hundred four music teachers were tested for evidence of hearing loss that could possibly be attributed to Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). This type of hearing loss is a permanent loss of hearing acuity resulting from repeated exposure to intense sound levels. Results indicate that some risk of NIHL is involved in high school band directing but the degree of risk varies widely among individuals.

1993 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. Lankford ◽  
Denise M. West

The purpose of this study was to determine if noise in a high school woodworking class could contribute to the incidence of hearing loss. Students in the woodworking class served as the experimental group, and students in a technical drawing class were the control group. Four separate experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 consisted of measuring and comparing the sound levels in the woodworking and the technical drawing class environments. In Experiment 2, dosimetry samples of the students in both classrooms were collected. In Experiment 3, the temporary threshold shifts (TTSs) were determined for students in both groups by assessing hearing thresholds at the beginning and end of a single class period. The focus of Experiment 4 was to determine if a threshold shift had occurred in the hearing of the students in the woodworking class over a semester. Results of this study suggest that hazardous noise levels in the high school woodworking shop caused statistically significant TTS among the students. Relatively low noise doses were recorded, but no significant changes in hearing thresholds from the beginning to the end of the semester were noted. It was concluded that repeated noise exposure in a woodworking class may be a contributing factor to hearing loss among a student population and that a hearing conservation program should be instituted in these high school environments.


1980 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Spencer

AbstactThe possibility of a noise-induced hearing loss occurring as a result of a high level of sucker-tip noise in myringtomy for seromucinous otitis media is discussed, A group of twenty-four ears is investigated and the noise levels generated by the suction tube are mearsured at operation by means of a probe microphone lowered into the external auditory meatus The conclusions reached are that, although the sound levels attained are at times quite high, they are not of suffcient amplitude, nor are they present for a suffcient length of time, to produce a sencori-neural hearing loss.


2004 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Bray ◽  
Marcin Szymański ◽  
Robert Mills

Noise exposure, hearing loss and associated otological symptoms have been studied in a group of 23 disc jockeys using a questionnaire and pure tone audiometry. The level of noise exposure in the venues where they work has also been studied using Ametek Mk-3 audio dosimeters. Three members of the study group showed clear evidence of noise-induced hearing losson audiometry, 70 per cent reported temporary threshold shift after sessions and 74 per cent reported tinnitus. Sound levels of up to 108 dB(A) were recorded in the nightclubs. The average level for a typical session was 96 dB(A) which is above the level at which the provision of ear protection is mandatory for employers in industry. It can be concluded that DJs are at substantial risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss and noise exposure in nightclubs frequently exceeds safe levels.


2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian J. Fligor

Abstract A growing body of evidence suggests that a small, but significant, percent of users of portable media players (PMP) are at risk for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) from abusive use. This manuscript provides a brief review of damage-risk criteria and the methodological hurdles to accurately measuring sound exposure from earphones. The capacity of all generations of PMP exists to produce sound levels that would allow a user to exceed established damage-risk criteria. Whether or not a PMP user exceeds damage-risk criteria depends in part on the type of earphone used and the background noise that exists in the ambient listening environment. To date, estimates of noise dose from PMP use suggest that only a fraction of consumers are at risk for NIHL, but, given the extraordinary population of these devices, the absolute number affected may be quite large. Estimates of noise-induced permanent threshold shift from using PMP at high levels for 2 and 4 hours per day over a 10-year period are given, as well as an estimate of the number of people who may have NIHL from PMP use.


2014 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
O Johnson ◽  
B Andrew ◽  
D Walker ◽  
S Morgan ◽  
A Aldren

AbstractBackground:Over the past 30 years, the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss among adolescents and young adults has increased. This study aimed to address the current dearth of literature implicating excessive nightclub sound levels (more than 85 dB) as a direct cause of auditory symptoms related to noise-induced hearing loss.Method:A questionnaire was completed by 325 students to gauge the frequency of auditory symptoms after nightclub attendance, and to explore knowledge and opinions about noise levels in nightclubs.Results:The findings showed that 88.3 per cent of students experienced tinnitus after leaving a nightclub and 66.2 per cent suffered impaired hearing the following morning. In terms of behaviour, 73.2 per cent of students said that the risk of hearing damage would not affect their nightclub attendance, but most students (70.2 per cent) felt that noise levels in nightclubs should be limited to safe volumes.Conclusion:A high proportion of students reported experiencing symptoms related to noise-induced hearing loss after attending a nightclub. These findings are relevant to policy makers.


2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 5-14
Author(s):  
Jennifer S. Walter

In the past 10 years, educating university musicians about hearing protection for long-term career stability and success has become more common, as has the adoption of hearing conservation programs. The purpose of this study was to explore preservice music teachers’ self-reported use of earplugs. Undergraduate preservice teachers ( N = 129) were surveyed and results revealed that 21% ( n = 27) wore earplugs sometimes while practicing, rehearsing, performing, or teaching. While participants recognized that noise-induced hearing loss was preventable ( n = 124, 96%), 88% were seldom or sometimes concerned about their own hearing ( M = 2.39, SD = 1.05). Most participants believed that surgery and hearing aids were ways to correct noise-induced hearing loss ( n = 100, 78%). However, contrary to the preservice teachers’ beliefs, no viable correction is currently available for noise-induced hearing loss. Implications for further education are discussed.


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-70
Author(s):  
Jennifer Stewart Walter

The purpose of this study was 1) to examine the sound exposure of wind band members in a university setting during a week of typical rehearsals and 2) to assess whether that exposure changes depending on subjects' location within the rehearsal space. Because excessive sound exposure has a cumulative effect on the ear that can eventually lead to noise-induced hearing loss, it is important to determine whether university musicians are at risk. A 100% dose of sound is the maximum daily exposure recommended by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for preventing noise-induced hearing loss. Twenty-four of 46 subjects (52%) experienced one or more rehearsals with sound levels high enough to produce >100% doses, and 17 subjects experienced a mean daily dose of sound in excess of 100% as compared to the NIOSH standards. Implications and suggestions for further research are discussed.


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