[Rock music and hearing disorders].
BACKGROUND
Continued exposition to loud noise is a well-known risk factor for development of various hearing disorders; rock musicians are especially vulnerable. The aim of this paper was to get an overview of hearing loss, tinnitus and hyperacusis among rock musicians.


METHODS
Medline was systematically searched, using combinations of the terms "hearing", "rock music", "tinnitus" and "hyperacusis".


CONCLUSIONS
Seven publications concerning hearing of rock musicians were identified. Permanent hearing loss occurred in 20% (mean) of the rock musicians; the prevalence varied from 5 to 41%. Tinnitus and hyperacusis appear significantly more often in rock musicians than in non-musicians. Rock musicians have increased resistance against loud music and exposure over time is protective towards hearing loss. Further research is needed to assess rock music's impact on musicians' hearing.
Størmer
Carl Christian Lein
CC
Institutt for klinisk medisin, Det medisinske fakultet, Universitetet i Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø. carl.christian.lein.stormer@gmail.com
Stenklev
Niels Christian
NC
D001309:Auditory Threshold; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D012001:Hyperacusis / Q000209:etiology; D009146:Music; D012307:Risk Factors; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000209:etiology