Sound exposure and hearing loss risk in drummer musicians: a study of DPOAE changes during drummer rehearsals.

Percussionists are particularly at risk for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) because they are frequently exposed to high-impact sounds. Impact noise is more harmful than continuous noise with the same energy due to its wide frequency range and the rapid concentration of a significant amount of energy within short intervals. This study investigated the sound exposure levels experienced by drummer musicians and the changes in distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) levels before and after a controlled rehearsal of approximately 20 min on the same drum set. Measurements were taken from 18 volunteers to assess the changes in DPOAE amplitude. The results indicated that DPOAE levels decreased in both ears following exposure to drum noise. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the left ear at 1 and 6 kHz, whereas the right ear exhibited significant differences at 4, 6, and 10 kHz. The results were analyzed with kurtosis-adjusted A-weighted equivalent sound pressure levels recorded during each drummer's performance to identify potential correlations.