University student musician noise-dosage study measuring both ensemble and full-day noise exposure

Abstract

A risk factor shared by all musicians is a potential for noise-induced hearing loss. A study was conducted to explore what factors determine noise dosage during musical events experienced by college student musicians. First, noise exposure during specific activities was explored, including during ensemble rehearsal and personal practice. Next, full-day noise exposure was investigated by measuring levels experienced by student musicians during a typical daily routine. Factors such as instrument played, type of activity, location within ensemble, and room environment were related to noise dosage. Disparities in results using different standards to calculate noise dosage were also explored. Risk of noise overexposure was found to be greater in some instrument classes, such as wind instruments, than in others, such as string instruments, and can yield vastly different results depending on the metric used for noise dosage calculation.