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This blog is for a project that focuses primarily on Communication Sciences and Disorders. The objective is to inform the community about the affects of loud music or noise in conjunction with hearing loss. The following information is research based and provides beneficial ways to prevent damaging your ears. 

Enjoy!

Objectives

✓ To identify how music-induced hearing loss can occur.

✓ Signs and symptoms of music-induced hearing loss

✓ Acknowledge ways to prevent music-induced hearing loss

Journal Articles On Music-induced Hearing Loss Research

Assessment of Potential Noise-induced Hearing Loss with Commercial “Karaoke” Noise

A study was conducted in Korea to examine the degree of potential noise-induced hearing loss by commercial Karaoke noise. The two variables that are used in the experiment are noise source and the music type. The maximum sound pressure level was measured along with hearing threshold levels. Findings suggest that Karaoke facilities are a serious threat to noise-induced hearing loss and that hearing protection is encouraged for safety. Other strategic ideas are to create sound absorptive treatment in Karaoke rooms, setting a volume limit and have warning signs to alert people that hearing loss can possibly occur.

UNCG Library Journal Article Website

Park, Min-Yong. "Assessment of potential noise-induced hearing loss with commercial “Karaoke” noise." International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 31.6 (2003): 375. Business Source Premier. EBSCO. Web. 8 July 2010.

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Estimating Adolescent Risk for Hearing Loss Based on Data From a Large School-Based Survey

A group of 1512 adolescents from Dutch secondary schools were questioned about their music-listening behavior to determine if they experienced symptoms of hearing loss after listening to loud music. The methods used for this study was a questionnaire along with average sound levels of music from music players, clubs, and pop concerts. As a result, about half of the adolescents exceeded the safety standard for noise exposure. Adolescents normally exceed the safety limit of noise exposure from listening to music.

UNCG Library Journal Article Website

Vogel, Ineke, et al. "Estimating Adolescent Risk for Hearing Loss Based on Data From a Large School-Based Survey." American Journal of Public Health 100.6 (2010): 1095-1100. Business Source Premier. EBSCO. Web. 8 July 2010.

Noise and Music

How loud is too loud? Any music louder than 85 decibels (the level of city traffic) will eventually cause irreversible damage your hearing. Findings suggest that 37 percent of rock musicians, 52 percent of classical musicians and 26 percent of high school seniors who played in a band (compared to 13 percent who did not play in a band) have signs of hearing loss. If  you experience tinnitus, slight muffling of sounds or difficulty of understanding speech then you’ve been listening to music that is too loud. Music-induced hearing loss can be prevented by simply turning down the volume, limiting exposure time to loud music and wearing ear protection.

http://www.chchearing.org/noise-center-home/facts-noise/noise-music

Hearing Loss and Concerts: Why You Should Wear Hearing Protection

Did you know that concerts (especially rock concerts) could permanently damage your ears in less than an hour? The sound pressure levels, depending on how close to the speakers you are, determines the amount of impact that the music has on your ears. Most concerts lasts for about three hours. Imagine how much damage is happening to your ears if they can be permanently damaged in one hour! According to an MTV study on 2,500 respondents for noise-induced hearing loss, 32 percent of concert goers reported ringing in the ears after attending a rock concert. To prevent hearing loss from concerts, avoid sitting near the speakers, sit off to one side of the stage, or leave early to shorten the term of hearing loss.

 http://www.hearlifeagain.com/concerts-hearing-loss

Can Loud Music Hurt My Ears?

The volume of music does have a great impact on a person’s hearing. It can cause either temporary or permanent hearing loss. There is a possibility that your ears can be injured by temporary hearing loss if the noise around you is so loud that you have to shout in order to be heard. Another result of loud music, or noise in general, is tinnitus, which is ringing of the ears that may make your ears feel full. Listening to loud music over a long period of time can lead to permanent hearing loss. Listening to loud music through headphones can also trigger hearing loss. Hearing loss can be prevented by protecting your ears with earplugs and turning down the volume of music.

http://kidshealth.org/kid/talk/qa/rock_music.html