title: Noise exposure levels for musicians during rehearsal and performance times.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine daily noise doses and 8-hour time weighted averages for rock band musicians, crew members, and spectators during a typical rehearsal and performance using both Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) measurement criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Personal noise dosimetry was completed on five members of a rock band during one 2-hr rehearsal and one 4-hr performance. Time-weighted averages (TWA) and daily dose values were calculated using both OSHA and NIOSH criteria and compared to industry guidelines for enrollment in hearing conservation programs and the use of hearing protection devices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TWA values ranged from 84.3 to 90.4 dBA (OSHA) and from 90.0 to 96.4 dBA (NIOSH) during the rehearsal. The same values ranged from 91.0 to 99.7 dBA (OSHA) and 94.0 to 102.8 dBA (NIOSH) for the performance. During the rehearsal, daily noise doses ranged from 45.54% to 106.7% (OSHA) and from 317.74% to 1396.07% (NIOSH). During the performance, doses ranged from 114.66% to 382.49% (OSHA) and from 793.31% to 5970.15% (NIOSH).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The musicians in this study were exposed to dangerously high levels of noise and should be enrolled in a hearing conservation programs. Hearing protection devices should be worn, especially during performances. The OSHA measurement criteria yielded values significantly more conservative than those produced by NIOSH criteria. Audiologists should counsel musician-patients about the hazards of excessive noise (music) exposure and how to protect their hearing.
authors.affiliation: Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858, USA.
authors.forename: Devon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McIlvaine
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009146:Music; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D013016:Sound / Q000009:adverse effects