Music exposure and hearing disorders: An overview

• Published in: International journal of audiology 2010, Vol.49 (1), p.54-64
• Main Authors: Zhao, Fei, Manchaiah, Vinaya K.C., French, David, Price, Sharon M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dysfunction; Environmental Exposure; Hearing; Hearing impairment; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced - etiology; Humans; Induced; Music; music exposure; noise induced hearing loss (NIHL); Occupational Exposure; personal music players (PMP); subclinical cochlear dysfunction
• ISSN: 1499-2027; 1708-8186; 1708-8186
• DOI: 10.3109/14992020903202520

Abstract It has been generally accepted that excessive exposure to loud music causes various hearing symptoms (e.g. tinnitus) and consequently leads to a risk of permanent hearing damage, known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Such potential risk of NIHL due to loud music exposure has been widely investigated in musicians and people working in music venues. With advancements in sound technology and rapid developments in the music industry, increasing numbers of people, particularly adolescents and young adults, are exposing themselves to music on a voluntary basis at potentially harmful levels, and over a substantial period of time, which can also cause NIHL. However, because of insufficient audiometric evidence of hearing loss caused purely by music exposure, there is still disagreement and speculation about the risk of hearing loss from music exposure alone. Many studies have suggested using advanced audiological measurements as more sensitive and efficient tools to monitor hearing status as early indicators of cochlear dysfunction. The purpose of this review is to provide further insight into the potential risk of hearing loss caused by exposure to loud music, and thus contribute to further raising awareness of music induced hearing loss. Sumario Se ha aceptado en general que la exposición excesiva a música fuerte ocasiona varios síntomas auditivos (e.g. acúfeno) y consecuentemente trae el riesgo de daño auditivo permanente, conocido como hipoacusia inducida por ruido (NIHL). El riesgo potencial de NIHL debido a la exposición a música fuerte ha sido ampliamente investigado en músicos y en personas que trabajan en locales musicales. Con los avances en la tecnología del sonido y el rápido desarrollo de la industria musical, un mayor número de personas, en particular los adolescentes y los adultos jóvenes, se han expuesto voluntariamente a niveles potencialmente dañinos por tiempo considerable que pueden causar NIHL. Sin embargo, debido a que la evidencia audiométrica de que la exposición a música es la única causante de la pérdida auditiva es insuficiente, aun hay desacuerdo y especulación sobre el riesgo que esto representa. Varios estudios han sugerido monitorear el estado auditivo mediante herramientas audiológicas más sensitivas y eficientes, como indicadores tempranos de disfunción coclear. El objetivo de esta revisión es proveer un mayor conocimiento del riego potencial de hipoacusia debida a la exposición a música fuerte y por tanto contribuir