PP1505 - A Comparison of Vestibular Function in Young Adult Musicians and Non-Musician Peers

Abstract:
The present study examined vestibular/balance differences between young adult musicians and non-musicians to determine the effects of music exposure on the vestibular system. Musicians were found to produce significantly more saccades in the left horizontal semicircular canal on the vHIT compared to non-musicians, despite insignificant differences in VOR gain observed between groups. This study shows the effect of music exposure on the vestibular system in young adult musicians who show early-onset, subclinical findings on the vHIT that could develop into abnormal results on vestibular assessments if hearing protection use is not increased.

Summary:
Young adult musicians are exposed to high-intensity sounds throughout the day, with the majority of college-level musicians exceeding the daily recommended noise dose level during instrumental practices and performances. Despite this, less than one-third of college musicians report wearing hearing protection while playing their instruments. Although the hazardous effects of music on the auditory system have been established, even in young adult musicians still early in their musical careers, the effects of music on the vestibular system are still unclear due to limited research on the topic. The purpose of the present study was to examine vestibular/balance differences between young adult musicians and non-musicians to determine the effects of music exposure on the vestibular system. Vestibular/balance function was assessed and compared between young adult musicians (n=19) and non-musicians (n=18) via the cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP), ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP), video head impulse test (vHIT), and modified clinical test of sensory integration on balance (mCTSIB). VEMPs were analyzed using a two-way mixed model MANOVA while the vHIT and mCTSIB were analyzed using two-way mixed model ANOVAs. Significant differences between groups were not found on the cVEMP, oVEMP, or mCTSIB. However, musicians were found to produce significantly more saccades in the left horizontal semicircular canal on the vHIT compared to non-musicians, despite insignificant differences in VOR gain observed between groups. This finding suggests that musicians may have early-onset vestibular deficits in the left horizontal canal that are yet to appear on other functional vestibular assessments. This study shows the effect of music exposure on the vestibular system in young-adult musicians who show early-onset, subclinical findings on the vHIT that could develop into abnormal results on vestibular assessments if hearing protection use is not increased.