Auditory effects among young musicians of a philharmonic band

Abstract

Music is considered a pleasant sound. However, it can have a negative effect on people's lives. Objective: To identify the auditory effects of music exposure in young musicians of a philharmonic band. Methods: The sample was conducted with 22 musicians of a philharmonic band. The procedures include otoscopy, middle ear analysis, pure tone audiometry, Transient Evoked Otoacustic Emission (TEOAE) and Distortion Product (DPOAE). Results: The study included 22 male musicians, aged from 13 to 24 years old, average 17.4. The most frequent auditory complaints were intolerance to loud sounds, communication difficulties and tinnitus. All the subjects presented auditory thresholds within normal patterns. However, were observed audiometric notches in both ears. In general, the TEOAE and DPOAE were present; however, two musicians had an absence of TEOAE in the right ear in at least one of the frequency bands and, in the left ear, this fact occurred in four musicians. In the DPOAE, it was found an absence response in six musicians in, at least, one frequency in both ears. Conclusion: Despite the young sample and normal hearing thresholds, there was a high incidence of auditory complaints, changes of responses in otoacoustic emissions and audiometric notches.