In this preliminary study, sound dosimetry measurements were conducted at film studios to assess whether audio post-production engineers are at risk for sound-induced hearing loss. Additionally, we measured 23 engineers’ hearing thresholds and assessed their self-perception of hearing disorders via a new questionnaire. Our results show that most participants had at least one audiometric notch, which is an early indicator of noise-induced hearing loss, and most reported experiencing hearing disorders such as tinnitus. Dosimetry suggested that sound levels pose a low risk of permanent hearing loss according to NIOSH criteria, but these criteria are not protective for disorders such as tinnitus, cochlear synaptopathy or even early threshold shifts. We recommend routine hearing evaluations and the use of hearing protection to maintain healthy hearing.

Authors: Sinnott, Laura; Weinstein, Barbara
Affiliation: City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
AES Convention: 145 (October 2018) Paper Number: 10083
Publication Date: October 7, 2018 Import into BibTeX
Subject: Recording and Production
Permalink: https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=19809

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