scholarly journals Loud Music and Leisure Noise Is a Common Cause of Chronic Hearing Loss, Tinnitus and Hyperacusis

Author(s):  
Martin Pienkowski

High sound levels capable of permanently damaging the ear are experienced not only in factories and war zones but in concert halls, nightclubs, sports stadiums, and many other leisure environments. This review summarizes evidence that loud music and other forms of “leisure noise” are common causes of noise-induced hearing loss, tinnitus, and hyperacusis, even if audiometric thresholds initially remain within clinically normal limits. Given the huge global burden of preventable noise-induced hearing loss, noise limits should be adopted in a much broader range of settings, and education to promote hearing conservation should be a higher public health priority.

Author(s):  
Jennifer Tufts

Loud music and noisy hobbies are part of our cultural landscape. These activities can be enjoyed with minimal risk to hearing if a few commonsense guidelines are followed. Educating clients about risks and protective strategies will empower them to make informed decisions about their hearing health that best reflect their values and priorities. In this article, the author covers essential information to avoiding noise-induced hearing loss, writing in easily accessible language to better help clinicians convey this information to their clients.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (3S) ◽  
pp. 352-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Nadon ◽  
Annelies Bockstael ◽  
Dick Botteldooren ◽  
Jérémie Voix

Purpose In spite of all the efforts to implement workplace hearing conservation programs, noise-induced hearing loss remains the leading cause of disability for North American workers. Nonetheless, an individual's susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss can be estimated by monitoring changes in hearing status in relation to the level of ambient noise exposure. The purpose of this study was to validate an approach that could improve workplace hearing conservation practices. The approach was developed using a portable and robust system designed for noisy environments and consisted of taking continuous measurements with high temporal resolution of the health status of the inner ear using otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). Method A pilot study was conducted in a laboratory, exposing human subjects to industrial noise recordings at realistic levels. In parallel, OAEs were measured periodically using the designed OAE system as well as with a commercially available OAE system, used as a reference. Results Variations in OAE levels were analyzed and discussed along with the limitations of the reference and designed systems. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the monitoring of an individual's OAEs could be useful in monitoring temporary changes in hearing status induced by exposure to ambient noise and could be considered as a new tool for effective hearing conservation programs in the workplace.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-31
Author(s):  
Pelden Wangchuk ◽  
Phuntsho Dendup

Introduction: Exposure to any type of noise has a potential risk. Higher the level of noise and longer duration of exposure, the more the risk for the hearing sensitivity and health as a whole. The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss (ONIHL) among the industrial workers in Bhutan and to ascertain high risk establishment and vulnerable occupations. Methods: The hearing assessment was conducted among 1638 workers considering different types of industries and occupations to ascertain the prevalence of occupational noise induced hearing loss and vulnerable group amongdifferent industries and occupations. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were performed to test the significance of ONIHL among the various independent variables. Results: The study found that the prevalence of ONIHL stands at 27.9% among industrial workers in Bhutan. 42.45% of candidates who had ONIHL reported with tinnitus in either or both ears. This study founda significant association between the exposure duration and the severity of ONIHL among the industrial workers. Considering the type of industry, wood based industry, hydro services, cement and polymer were found to have a higher prevalence of ONIHL and similarly, higher prevalence of ONIHL were found among occupations such as blaster, chipper, carpenters, dryer (knife grinder) and crusher operators. Conclusions: This study conduces that prevalence of ONIHL among industrial workers is found to be at the higher side and some of the occupations and industries impose higher risk. The study suggests that there is need for intervention such as strict enforcement of the permissible exposure limit, monitor and evaluate hearing conservation programs, and providing advice and recommendation to address such issues by the relevant agencies and industries


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (07) ◽  
pp. 619-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamakshi V. Gopal ◽  
Liana E. Mills ◽  
Bryce S. Phillips ◽  
Rajesh Nandy

AbstractRecreational noise–induced hearing loss (RNIHL) is a major health issue and presents a huge economic burden on society. Exposure to loud music is not considered hazardous in our society because music is thought to be a source of relaxation and entertainment. However, there is evidence that regardless of the sound source, frequent exposure to loud music, including through personal audio systems (PAS), can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus, difficulty processing speech, and increased susceptibility to age-related hearing loss.Several studies have documented temporary threshold shifts (TTS) (a risk indicator of future permanent impairment) in subjects that listen to loud music through their PAS. However, there is not enough information regarding volume settings that may be considered to be safe. As a primary step toward quantifying the risk of RNIHL through PAS, we assessed changes in auditory test measures before and after exposure to music through the popular iPod Touch device set at various volume levels.This project design incorporated aspects of both between- and within-subjects and used repeated measures to analyze individual groups.A total of 40 adults, aged 18–31 years with normal hearing were recruited and randomly distributed to four groups. Each group consisted of five males and five females.Subjects underwent two rounds of testing (pre- and postmusic exposure), with a 30-min interval, where they listened to a playlist consisting of popular songs through an iPod at 100%, 75%, 50%, or 0% volume (no music). Based on our analysis on the Knowles Electronic Manikin for Acoustic Research, with a standardized 711 coupler, it was determined that listening to the playlist for 30 min through standard earbuds resulted in an average level of 97.0 dBC at 100% volume, 83.3 dBC at 75% volume, and 65.6 dBC at 50% volume. Pure-tone thresholds from 500–8000 Hz, extended high-frequency pure tones between 9–12.5 kHz, and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) were obtained before and after the 30-min music exposure. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed with two between-subjects factors (volume and gender) and one within-subjects factor (frequency). Change (shift) in auditory test measures was used as the outcome for the ANOVA.Results indicated significant worsening of pure-tone thresholds following music exposure only in the group that was exposed to 100% volume at the following frequencies: 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 kHz. DPOAEs showed significant decrease at 2000 and 2822 Hz, also only for the 100% volume condition. No significant changes were found between pre- and postmusic exposure measures in groups exposed to 75%, 50%, or 0% volume conditions. Follow-up evaluations conducted a week later indicated that pure-tone thresholds had returned to the premusic exposure levels.These results provide quantifiable information regarding safe volume control settings on the iPod Touch with standard earbuds. Listening to music using the iPod Touch at 100% volume setting for as little as 30 min leads to TTS and worsening of otoacoustic emissions, a risk for permanent auditory damage.


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.


1991 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 134-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce L. Plakke

Studies have shown the hazards of noise-induced hearing loss for industrial technology teachers and students. A teachers guide and materials were developed and workshops conducted for audiologists and industrial technology teachers 5 years ago in Iowa. Teachers’ attitudes and awareness of the hazards of noise were determined by a survey. The results show a need to increase the effectiveness of training and knowledge of industrial technology teachers regarding hearing conservation.


1988 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-50
Author(s):  
D. G. Jones

AbstractA cross sectional survey of Royal Naval aircrew was performed to measure the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss and assess its relationship to flying experience. The quality of routine audiometry undertaken at annual aircrew medical examinations was assessed and the requirement for further hearing conservation measures amongst Fleet Air Arm personnel considered.Analysis of the results indicated that 3.8% of aircrew had possible noise induced hearing loss, in 1.6% this was probably due to flying and none of these cases had less than 2,000 hours flying experience.Further surveys should concentrate on experienced aviators and on aircraft maintainers and handlers.As noise-induced hearing loss does not appear to be affecting aircrew with less than 10 years flying experience there is a potential saving in time and expense by ceasing to do routine audiometry on this group.


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