Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Too Loud to Ignore: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Hearing Protection in Student Musicians and Ensemble Directors

Abstract

Musicians are at an elevated risk for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) due to repeated exposure to sound levels exceeding occupational safety guidelines. Although many strides have been made in educating music students on the potential dangers of noise exposure and the mitigating effects of hearing protection devices, the current attitudes on this topic among high school and college-level student musicians remain largely unknown. An electronic survey was administered to high school (n = 195) and university (n = 161)-level band students and ensemble directors (n = 15) regarding knowledge of noise/music-induced hearing loss (MIHL), personal practices with HPDs, and types of education received in band programs regarding hearing health. Results revealed that university-level students reported significantly more awareness and use of HPDs compared to high school students, though neither group reported frequent use overall. Findings also suggested that increased knowledge regarding MIHL significantly predicted hearing protection use among student musicians but also indicated that many student musicians reported only minimal exposure to any type of hearing healthcare curriculum. Ensemble directors overall report occasionally mentioning hearing healthcare to students, but generally do not provide HPDs as part of the program to students. Prior research has suggested that behaviors can be changed with consistent education. A standardized music curriculum that includes proper hearing health practices may help reduce reports of MIHL and increase the use of hearing protection among student musicians.

First Page

1

Last Page

16

DOI

10.3390/educsci15111454

Publication Date

11-1-2025

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Download

Share

COinS