PP706 - Musical Instruments with a Higher Risk of Noise Exposure from Sound-Level Measurements

This study measured average and maximum levels of an individual practice session of university student musicians playing various instruments. Measurements using a sound level meter were taken on various instruments to help determine approximately how long each instrument can safely be played without needing hearing protection. Each measurement lasted between 7 to 10 minutes in length and was recorded with a sound level meter at ear level, approximately one foot away.

Summary:

Objectives and Rationale

Studies that have looked at noise levels of different individual musical instruments have been done on professional musicians (Tufts & Skoe, 2017; O’Brien et al., 2013; Schmidt et al., 2014). However, there has been no known published data that has specifically looked at intensity levels of different instruments during individual practice sessions for college-aged musicians. Collegiate musicians may practice for a different length of time than professional musicians. In addition, because of their younger age and the potential for many years of practicing ahead of them, they are at risk of causing damage to their hearing. 

Design

Participants were asked to fill out a brief survey regarding which instruments they play and for about how long they practice with each instrument on a weekly basis. A total of 14 college-age musicians participated in this study. All experience levels were accepted, and all but one participant played their instrument at the university level. Instruments included in this study consisted of: saxophones, flute, marimba, timpani, piano, oboe, clarinet, tuba, French horn, and accordion. Each musician was instructed to play their instrument as they normally would during an individual practice session. While practicing, sound level measurements were taken by using a Quest Technologies Sound Level Meter 1800 which was placed approximately one foot away from the ear level of the musician. Both the equivalent continuous sound level (Leq) and maximum sound level of the instrument were measured at ear level for 7 to 10 minutes at both ears.

Results

Based on survey responses, the total average length of time spent individually practicing a musical instrument for a collegiate musician was found to be about 18.5 hours per week, almost double the length of time when compared to published information on professional musicians (O’Brien et al., 2013). Average Leq measurements were taken and calculated into an approximate amount of safe noise dosage using both OSHA’s 5 decibel exchange rate and NIOSH’s 3 decibel exchange rate. Instruments were organized by length of time to action criterion, with marimba and tenor saxophone having the highest Leq levels and shortest time to action criterion. Accordion and piano had the lowest Leq levels. When comparing overall Leq measurements to maximum output measurements, the order of which instruments were the loudest changed, with the French horn having the highest maximum level.

Conclusion

This study measured and compared the approximate length of time for different instruments to reach hearing conservation action criterion during individual practice sessions. Future research in this area should include measureing a greater variety of instruments, possibly using dosimeters to obtain measurements during a longer period of time, and determining if the acoustics in practice rooms are appropriately dampening the sound of the instrument to a safer playing level.