Hearing damage caused by noise in classical musicians

Abstract

In this paper we discuss the issue of hearing damage caused by noise in classical musicians. Long-term exposure to high intensity sounds leads to degenerative changes at the level of the cochlea and then in the higher parts of the auditory canal. This is particularly unfavorable for musicians, because an efficient hearing organ is necessary for them to perform their daily work. The risk of hearing damage depends on noise parameters and intrinsic factors called individual noise sensitivity. Not all musicians are exposed to sounds that exceed the acceptable level. However, most of them work in noise levels that are close to the acceptable safety limit or above, thus posing a threat. In addition to elevated hearing threshold, tinnitus, auditory hypersensitivity and diploacousis may result from many years of exposure to high intensity acoustic stimuli. Although the differences between the hearing thresholds for instrumentalists and members of the unexposed population are not large, researchers emphasize the need to recognize musicians as a risk group and to apply appropriate prevention. One of the methods to prevent hearing damage is to use ear protectors, which, although effectively reduce exposure, are not widely used by instrumentalists because they impede auditory control over the sounds produced by the instrument. In addition, multifaceted prevention programs and various techniques to minimize exposure are used, such as the proper placement of loud instruments in an orchestra.