Laitinen H
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Department of Physics, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, FIN-00250 Helsinki, Finland.
Noise Health. 2005 Jan-Mar;7(26):21-9. doi: 10.4103/1463-1741.31643.
Classical musicians are often exposed to sound levels that exceed the Finnish national action limit value of 85 dB(A). Still, the use of hearing protectors is uncommon among musicians. The purpose of this study was to find out musician's attitudes towards hearing protectors, and under which conditions hearing protectors are used. The study group consisted of five major classical orchestras in the Helsinki region. The players were asked to fill out a questionnaire with questions on hearing protection, ear symptoms, including tinnitus, hearing loss, pain in the ears, and temporary ringing in the ears. Also, questions concerning stress and working environments were asked. Of those who responded, 94% were concerned about their hearing to some degree. Only 6% of the musicians always used hearing protector devices (HPDs). Self-reported hearing loss was quite common, with 31% of the musicians reporting some hearing loss. Temporary tinnitus was even more common at 37%. There were 15% of women, and 18% of men reporting permanent tinnitus. Hyper-acousis was reported by 43% of the musicians. The ear symptoms affected the usage rate. Hearing protectors were used more often among musicians having ear symptoms (20%) than those reporting no symptoms (6%). Further, the 43% of the musicians found their work to be interesting and meaningful. Stress was experienced to some extent by 60%, and musicians with ear symptoms had three to nine times more stress and felt their working environment noisier. The study shows that musicians seldom use hearing protectors before symptoms begin. Symptoms increased usage rate, but the usage levels are still far from ideal. Motivation and training is needed to improve hearing protector use among musicians.
古典音乐家经常暴露在超过芬兰国家行动限值85分贝(A)的声级环境中。然而，音乐家使用听力保护器的情况并不常见。本研究的目的是了解音乐家对听力保护器的态度，以及在何种情况下会使用听力保护器。研究组由赫尔辛基地区的五支主要古典管弦乐团组成。要求演奏者填写一份问卷，问卷内容涉及听力保护、耳部症状，包括耳鸣、听力损失、耳朵疼痛以及耳部短暂鸣响。此外，还询问了有关压力和工作环境的问题。在做出回应的人中，94%在某种程度上担心自己的听力。只有6%的音乐家总是使用听力保护装置(HPDs)。自我报告的听力损失相当普遍，31%的音乐家报告有某种听力损失。短暂耳鸣更为常见，占37%。有15%的女性和18%的男性报告有永久性耳鸣。43%的音乐家报告有听觉过敏。耳部症状影响了使用率。有耳部症状的音乐家(20%)比没有症状的音乐家(6%)更经常使用听力保护器。此外，43%的音乐家认为他们的工作有趣且有意义。60%的人在一定程度上感到有压力，有耳部症状的音乐家压力要大3至9倍，并且觉得他们的工作环境噪音更大。研究表明，音乐家在症状出现之前很少使用听力保护器。症状会提高使用率，但使用水平仍远不理想。需要通过激励和培训来提高音乐家对听力保护器的使用。
