Temporary Tinnitus Research Articles

Factors affecting the use of hearing protectors among classical music players

Classical musicians are often exposed to sound levels that exceed the Finnish national action limit value of 85 dB(A). Still, the use of hearing protectors is uncommon among musicians. The purpose of this study was to find out musician's attitudes towards hearing protectors, and under which conditions hearing protectors are used. The study group consisted of five major classical orchestras in the Helsinki region. The players were asked to fill out a questionnaire with questions on hearing protection, ear symptoms, including tinnitus, hearing loss, pain in the ears, and temporary ringing in the ears. Also, questions concerning stress and working environments were asked. Of those who responded, 94% were concerned about their hearing to some degree. Only 6% of the musicians always used hearing protector devices (HPDs). Self-reported hearing loss was quite common, with 31% of the musicians reporting some hearing loss. Temporary tinnitus was even more common at 37%. There were 15% of women, and 18% of men reporting permanent tinnitus. Hyper-acousis was reported by 43% of the musicians. The ear symptoms affected the usage rate. Hearing protectors were used more often among musicians having ear symptoms (20%) than those reporting no symptoms (6%). Further, the 43% of the musicians found their work to be interesting and meaningful. Stress was experienced to some extent by 60%, and musicians with ear symptoms had three to nine times more stress and felt their working environment noisier. The study shows that musicians seldom use hearing protectors before symptoms begin. Symptoms increased usage rate, but the usage levels are still far from ideal. Motivation and training is needed to improve hearing protector use among musicians.

Otological trauma resulting from the soho nail bomb in london, april 1999

Objectives: To determine the otological effects of the 1999 Soho nail bomb. Methods: We recorded demographic data; pre-existing ear disease; approximate distance from the blast; side facing blast; the onset and duration of hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, discharge, and otalgia. A paired t test was used to compare hearing losses and perforation sizes between the ear nearer to the blast and the opposite side. Correlations of hearing losses with perforation sizes and of hearing losses with distances from the explosion were also calculated. Results: A total of 21 (62%) tympanic membranes were perforated (pars tensa only); 78% closed spontaneously within 6 months. The mean size of the perforation in the tympanic membrane nearer to the blast was significantly larger than the opposite side (33% ± 8.3 [mean ± sd] and 13% ± 4.1 respectively; P = 0.02). All patients reported hearing losses that were mixed conductive and sensorineural but mainly high frequency sensorineural (4, 6, & 8 kHz, pure tone average 42.3 dB ± 20.5). Hearing loss correlated inversely with the distance from the explosion but not with the size of perforation. There was no difference in the hearing loss between the ear facing the blast and the opposite ear. Fifteen patients (88%) had temporary tinnitus. Conclusions: The otological effects of a nail bomb in an enclosed space have not been previously reported. An inverse correlation between hearing loss and distance from the explosion and a significant difference in perforation size facing the blast compared to the opposite side are also presented. The high spontaneous closure rate of perforations and minimal ongoing disability from sensorineural losses favor conservative management.

Otological trauma resulting from the Soho Nail Bomb in London, April 1999.

We report the otological effects of the April 1999 Soho Nail Bomb on 17 patients. Twenty-one (62%) tympanic membranes were perforated (pars tensa only); 78% closed spontaneously within 6 months. The mean size of the perforation in the tympanic membrane nearer to the blast was significantly larger than the opposite side [33% +/- 8.3 (mean +/- SD) and 13% +/- 4.1 respectively; P = 0.02]. All patients reported hearing losses that were mixed conductive and sensorineural but mainly high-frequency sensorineural (4, 6 and 8 kHz, pure tone average 42.3 dB +/- 20.5). The sensorineural hearing loss correlated inversely with the distance from the explosion but not with the size of perforation. There was no significant difference in the hearing loss between the ear facing the blast and the opposite ear. Fifteen patients (88%) had temporary tinnitus. No patient complained of any vestibular symptoms. The otological effects of a nail bomb in an enclosed space have not been previously reported. Furthermore, an inverse correlation between hearing loss and distance from the explosion and a significant difference in perforation size facing the blast, compared with the opposite side, are also presented for the first time. The high spontaneous closure rate of perforations and minimal ongoing disability from sensorineural losses favour conservative management in most cases.

Characteristics of Temporary Noise-Induced Tinnitus in Male and Female Subjects

Characteristics of Temporary Noise-Induced Tinnitus in Male and Female Subjects

Temporary Tinnitus evoked by the Narrow Band Noise

Temporary Tinnitus evoked by the Narrow Band Noise

Diplacusis. I. Historical review.

DIPLACUSIS or double hearing is the phenomenon of hearing the same tone at a different pitch in each ear. It is far more prevalent than formerly realized and can now be detected with considerable accuracy by expressing the degree of diplacusis as the percentage of deviation from the other ear. A person with normal hearing may have from 1% to 2% deviation of their tone perception which may vary with fatigue and exposure to noise. Tuning forks have long been used to indicate the presence of diplacusis. Variable frequency audio-oscillators permit accurate measurements for matching identical tones. Diplacusis was first reported in 1907 by Shambaugh, Sr., 1 to be caused by a slight alteration in the mass of the delicate tectorial membrane causing it to respond in a different area than normal. He claimed that temporary tinnitus aurium was due to increased endolymphatic pressure whether caused by stapedial displacement, hypertension,