Study about the sonorous impact characterization in singing/instrument classes among music students in Brazil

Abstract

Background: The undergraduate music course students’ routine involves curricular musical practices and instrumental studies. This practice certainly exposes the students to the so called continuous or intermittent noises. Aims: To establish the sonorous exposure profile among the students of the music course of the UFSJ; describe the eventual differences among the diverse musicians groups; detect the presence of structures to protect against the noise during the musical instrument class; point out potential protective strategies for the exposed students. Subjects and methods: 01student from each of the 11musical instrument emphasis and their respective professors, 02Big Musical Instruments Groups and 02chamber groups were included. There were sonorous impact mediations during the musical instruments classes and rehearsals of the groups through decibel meter. 30-second samples in each of the moments (orientations/speeches; low and high intensity) were used. Results: It was verified that the different moments of the practical activities occupied 1/3 of the activities. Discussion: The results indicated that the majority of the practical activities are within the security levels from the sonorous exposure point of view, although there are certain bordering circumstances that call for a special attention. Conclusion: Despite the acoustic treatment of the building facilities, there can still be a risk due to such exposure. The preventive strategies are extremely important among which the earplugs and orientation to the students are highlighted, preferably in the beginning of the course.