Rehearsal Musical Sound and Hearing Health: The Case of Church Instrumentalists

Sesi Collins Akotey

University of Education, Winneba

Background: Musicians are at risk for noise-induced heearing loss (NIHL) due to their repeated exposure to loud sound levels without hearing protection. However, limited literature exists regarding the hearing health of student musicians in Ghana. Objective: This study assessed hearing thresholds and sound exposure levels during rehearsals of University of Education, Winneba (UEW) church instumentalists (music students) and compared them with age-matched non-music peers. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was employed involving twenty participants aged 18 to 25 years, comprising 10 students who did not play music and another 10 music students took part. A structured questionnaire (case history), an AD 27 diagnostic audiometer for pure tone hearing thresholds, a Madsen tympanometer for middle ear status, and a Kamplex KM-2 Mini sound level meter for rehearsal sound assessment were used to gather data. Results: Average rehearsal sound levels among music students ranged from 93–103 dBA with peaks up to 110 dBA. Four music students exhibited notches at 6000 Hz (≥25 dB HL), indicative of early NIHL, while none of the controls did. Tympanometry results were normal for all. Conclusion: Early indicators of NIHL are seen in church instrumentalists who are subjected to high sound levels. There is the need for preventive hearing conservation programmes in Ghanaian music training environments.

Article link: https://www.asianinstituteofresearch.org/EQRarchives/rehearsal-musical-sound-and-hearing-health%3A-the-case-of-church-instrumentalists