Effects of a Hearing Conservation Program on Attitudes of
Drum Corps Percussionists
Sara Neumann B.S., Joseph Smaldino, Ph.D., and Lindsay Bondurant, Ph.D.
Communication Sciences and Disorders, Illinois State University
Introduction
Methods
•Members of drum and bugle corps rehearse and perform upwards of
12-14 hours per day for approximately 80 days each summer. A recent
study revealed sound level exposures exceeding 90 times the
recommended noise dosage according to the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) standards placing these
individuals at risk for music induced hearing loss (Presley, 2007).
•In this study, none of the participants wore hearing protection devices
(HPDs). This appears to be typical in this population. However, factors
specific to non-use in drum and bugle corps have yet to be uncovered.
•The purpose of this study was to uncover the effects of hearing
conservation education to include otoacoustic emissions screenings
(OAE) and an educational presentation on the attitudes of
percussionists in drum and bugle corps. Pre- and post- surveys were
administered using a 5-point Likert Scale to assess knowledge base and
attitudes towards hearing and use of hearing protection.
•69 participants from two drum and bugle corps located in the
Midwest
*81% male, 19% female
*Mean age: 20.2 years (range 18-31 years)
•Instruments played included 15 snares, 10 tenors, 10 bass
drums, 6 cymbals, 28 front ensemble
•Procedures:
*Pre-survey and OAE screenings
*Educational Presentation: Noise Exposure, Hearing Loss,
HPDs (all participants were given Ety-Plugs™)
*Post survey (returned within a week following the
presentation).
•
Data analysis: Chi-Square “Goodness of Fit” Test
Hearing Damage & Treatment
Knowledge about Noise Exposure
*
***
**
A2
A5
A7
C7
A 2: If the environmental noise is too high, adjusting the volume of
the iPod louder could make the noise go away. (Chen et al., 2008).
A 5: Noise and loud sounds are natural parts of our society.
(Widen et al., 2009).
A 7: I need to hear everything in my environment, regardless of how loud.
C 7: If we have to stay in a noisy environment, moving to quieter
places would decrease the harmful effect of noise. (Chen et al., 2008)
Note: Significance levels for pre- to post-survey changes in response: * (p<.05), ** (p<.01) and *** (p<.001)
% answering correctly
***
% Positive
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Post-Survey
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Post-Survey
*
***
% used
Has had a previous hearing test
62%
Has worn HPD before
97%
Has used foam earplugs
75%
Has used non-foam earplugs
39%
Has used earmuffs
19%
Has used high fidelity earplugs (ETY-plugs™)
28%
Has used custom Musicians Earplugs™
25%
OAE Screening
%
Passed Both Ears
30.4%
Passed Right Ear
30.4%
Passed Left Ear
10.1%
Failed Both Ears
29.0%
Results and Discussion
•Three additional questions in the post-training survey assessed the effectiveness
of the training on HPD use. Participants expressed that they were more likely to
wear HPDs as a result of :
* Being educated about the options regarding hearing protection designed for
musicians (87%)
* Learning the results of their individual OAE screening (90%)
* Experiencing simulations of tinnitus and hearing loss (86%)
These findings agree with the findings of Widen, et al. (2009).
•From pre- to post-survey, there was a significant positive change in attitude toward
HPDs (p = 0.021).
C1
C5
C 1: Medication and surgery are able to cure hearing loss
and bring it back to normal levels. (Chen et al., 2008)
C 5: If I can’t tell I have a hearing problem, then I probably don’t
have any hearing loss.
Note: Significance levels for pre- to post-survey changes in response: * (p<.05) and *** (p<.001)
Hearing Protection Use
Pre-Survey
% Positive
Pre-Survey
Pre-Survey
Question
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Post-Survey
*
•This study targeted three areas of participant knowledge:
•Noise exposure: These results supported the hypothesis that many young adults
have received limited education regarding the dangers of noise exposure. The
educational program appeared to positively impact attitudes toward noise.
•Noise induced hearing loss and treatment: Over half of the participants (56%)
were unaware that medication and surgery cannot cure hearing loss prior to
educational intervention. Twenty-two percent were not aware prior to
intervention that they could have hearing loss without noticing, which decreased
to 10% following intervention.
•Hearing Protection Devices (HPDs): Of concern was the finding that after the
training, a majority (64%) of participants maintained the attitude that using HPDs
would make it hard to hear instructions. This finding indicates a need for further
investigation of the effects of HPDs on listening and playing in an ensemble and
how to overcome these issues.
*
B7
D11
B7: I think it is unnecessary to use earplugs when I am at rock
concert, dance or sporting event. (Widen et al., 2009)
D 11: Using hearing protection will make it hard to hear
instructions on the field and in the (press) box.
Note: Significance levels for pre- to post-survey changes in response: * (p<.05)
References
Chen, H., Huang, M., & Wei, J. (2008). Elementary school children's knowledge and intended behavior towards hearing conservation. Noise and
Health, 10(41), 105-109.
Etymotic research ety-plugs: High fidelity hearing protection. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20-ihp.aspx
Presley, D. (2007). An analysis of sound-level exposures of drum and bugle corps percussionists. Percussive Notes, 70-75.
Widen, S. E., Holmes, A. E., Johnson, T., Bohlin, M., & Erlandsson, S. I. (2009). Hearing, use of hearing protection, and attitudes towards noise among
young american adults. International Journal of Audiology, 48(8), 537-545. doi:10.1080/14992020902894541
Acknowledgements
•Brian Kreisman, Ph.D. for writing support.
•Scott Seeman, Ph.D. for assistance with statistical analysis.
•Colts Drum & Bugle Corps (Greg Orwoll/Max Mullinix) Percussion Section
• Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps (Dan Farrell/Rick Valenzuela) Percussion Section
•Etymotic Research: Gail Gudmundsen, Au.D., Dana Helmink, Au.D., and Carolynn Travis
•Ero Scan Pro, Dosimeters, and Donation of Ety-Plugs™ to the musician
•Erin Tennant, for her assistance with creating graphs and tables.
©Copyright Etymotic Research, Inc. Used with permission.