SPECIFIC HEARING LOSS IN YOUNG PERCUSSION AND BRASS WIND PLAYERS DUE TO MUSIC NOISE EXPOSURES

摘要

Statistical representation of high frequency audiometric data in the extended up to 16 kHz frequency range obtained from the experimental group of young percussion players and brass wind players showed significant high frequency rapidly sloping hearing loss. Higher HF hearing loss was found in percussion players, but in both groups the amount of hearing loss was significantly larger than in the control group of young musicians less exposed, i.e. playing strings or wood winds. Characteristic of the hearing loss found is the very rapid sloping at 16 kHz or at 12 kHz reaching often 40 to 60 dB in a 1/3-octave frequency band. For that reason it is recognised as a specific or "peculiar hearing loss". The spectral and temporal analysis carried out on the samples of music noise in the recorded training sessions of the percussion and brass wind players shows very high frequency components in the spectra of some percussion instruments, amounting to over 60 kHz, with considerable sound pressure level. Both music noises from percussion and from brass winds show substantial amount of impulsiveness, expressed in terms of L{sub}1-L{sub}(eq) and in terms of kurtosis, which according to the working hypothesis is the main factor leading to the observed impairments of hearing.