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Sound Exposure Characterization For Student Musicians: A Hearing Loss Prevention Initiative, Heather Maze, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

There is an increased risk for occupational and recreational noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) and tinnitus among those who are exposed to prolonged and elevated sound intensities. For musicians, education and hearing conservation programs are rarely accessible. The purpose of this project was to measure, quantify, and more clearly understand the exposure risk for student musicians. Dosimetry and area sound level data were used to evaluate the exposure levels of students in a university music department while they practiced in ensemble rooms and a concert performance hall. Sound maps were used to illustrate the most intense positions in each music-practice …