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Temporary and Permanent Hearing Loss Among College-Aged Drumline Members

Many musicians experience dangerous levels of sound exposure throughout their musical careers. In particular, members of marching percussion ensembles (“drumlines”) are exposed to prolonged periods of potentially damaging levels of sound. As a result, they are at risk of developing hearing loss. This study determines whether any significant hearing loss or threshold shifts occurs with drumline members in an indoor drumline and college marching band. Two groups of participants were analyzed: one group consisted of both college drumline and community-based competitive drumline members, while the other (control) group consisted of non-drummers who were matched for age and gender to the drummers. The non-drummers were given an audiogram to determine the lowest levels of sound they could detect. The drummers were given an audiogram immediately before and after a drumline rehearsal. First, the drummer group showed significant hearing loss at the start of their rehearsal, compared to the non-drummer group. This is indication of permanent hearing loss for the drummers. Second, the drummers’ hearing thresholds after rehearsal were compared to their levels immediately before rehearsal. A significant shift in the drummer group’s hearing threshold was found, indicating (additional) temporary hearing loss occurring over the course of the rehearsal. Earplug usage of the drummers during their rehearsals was also analyzed. Drummers who did not wear earplugs exhibited a significantly greater threshold shift (i.e., hearing loss) than drummers who did wear earplugs. Evidence of both temporary and permanent hearing loss amongst the drummer group makes it clear that drumline members should be required to wear hearing protection during rehearsals, and presumably also during performances.