Value of DPOAEs in Detecting Changes Associated with Music Overexposure

Background:  While the hearing of classical musicians has been studied previously, the effects of music overexposure on hearing sensitivity and DPOAE amplitude of university concert band members has not been studied in detail. Design and Methods: In this study, pure tone audiometric thresholds and DPOAEs were obtained bilaterally in twelve musicians and age- and gender-matched non-musicians. Pure tone thresholds were measured at six frequencies (1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, 3000 Hz, 4000 Hz, 6000 Hz, and 8000 Hz) bilaterally. Distortion production otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were measured at six frequencies (1007.8 Hz, 1347.7 Hz, 1992.2 Hz, 2660.2 Hz, 4007.8 Hz, and 5332 Hz) bilaterally.

Results and conclusions:  While there were no significant (p>0.05) differences between the two groups of young musicians and age-matched non-musicians, significant (p<0.05) differences in DPOAE amplitudes were found between the two groups. Results indicate value of using DPOAEs in monitoring effects of acoustic overexposure in musicians.