Rehearsal Musical Sound and Hearing Health: The Case of Church Instrumentalists

Background: Musicians are at risk for noise-induced heearing loss (NIHL) due to their repeated exposure to loud sound levels without hearing protection. However, limited literature exists regarding the hearing health of student musicians in Ghana. Objective: This study assessed hearing thresholds and sound exposure levels during rehearsals of University of Education, Winneba (UEW) church instumentalists (music students) and compared them with age-matched non-music peers. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was employed involving twenty participants aged 18 to 25 years, comprising 10 students who did not play music and another 10 music students took part. A structured questionnaire (case history), an AD 27 diagnostic audiometer for pure tone hearing thresholds, a Madsen tympanometer for middle ear status, and a Kamplex KM-2 Mini sound level meter for rehearsal sound assessment were used to gather data. Results: Average rehearsal sound levels among music students ranged from 93–103 dBA with peaks up to 110 dBA. Four music students exhibited notches at 6000 Hz (≥25 dB HL), indicative of early NIHL, while none of the controls did. Tympanometry results were normal for all. Conclusion: Early indicators of NIHL are seen in church instrumentalists who are subjected to high sound levels. There is the need for preventive hearing conservation programmes in Ghanaian music training environments.