(PP706) Noise Exposure: How it Affects Hearing in Music Majors Versus Non-Music Majors

This study evaluated the differences in the noise exposure, perceptions of noise exposure, and hearing thresholds of student musicians and non-musicians ages 18-25. Participants completed an interview and were asked to wear a noise dosimeter for two consecutive days to measure daily noise exposure.  Their hearing was evaluated to compare thresholds between the two groups.  Differences in  student perceptions of noise exposure, exposure as measured by dosimeters, and hearing thresholds will be discussed. 

Rationale:  There has been minimal research comparing the daily noise exposure of student musicians and student non-musicians, and their perceptions of noise exposure. There has also been limited research on the hearing of these individuals and their audiometric findings.  College students specifically are exposed to recreational noise.  Students majoring in music or interested in the recording industry are also exposed to noise as a result of activities related to their field of study, for example, performance, practice, and audio production.  Examining the attitudes, noise exposure, and hearing thresholds of students is critical for providing students with the information and protection they need to successfully continue careers in these fields.

Purpose:   The purpose of this study is to examine and compare the noise exposure and hearing thresholds of student musicians and non-musicians, and their perceptions of noise exposure.

Method:   Participants  include students majoring in music and the recording industry (N=15), and non-music majors recruited from students in the Speech Language Pathology and Audiology major (N=15).  The researcher will measure participants' daily noise exposure by issuing each participant a noise dosimeter to wear for two consecutive days. Participants will also complete in an interview with the researcher in which they will be asked a series of qualitative questions to help the researcher gain a better understanding of students’ attitudes and perspectives on noise exposure and how it affects their hearing.  Students’ hearing will be evaluated using a modified Hughson- Westlake procedure with a 5 dB reduced to 1-dB step size to obtain more precise thresholds that may show small significant differences between the two groups. It is anticipated that hearing thresholds will be  different between student musicians and non-musicians. It is also anticipated that noise exposure and students’ perceptions of noise exposure will differ as well. Researchers expect to conclude student musicians are at a higher risk of Noise Induced Hearing loss due to excessive daily noise exposure and that hearing thresholds of student musicians will be poorer than those of student non-musicians.