RP204 - Sound Quality and Music Perception of Custom Passive and Uniform Fit Electronic Musicians Hearing Protection Devices

Abstract:
Here we will discuss the degree to which the attenuation profiles of attenuation of musician hearing protection devices (MHPD) affect the overall sound quality and music perception ability of the wearer. We first measured the achieved attenuation of the earplug. We pursued this by comparing and contrasting the reported sound quality of a participant selected song with and without MHPDs. We then tested their pitch discrimination, melody discrimination, mistuning perception, and timbre perception with and without MHPDs. These data will provide insight into best practice recommendations for patients seeking MHPDs to wear recreationally.

Summary:
Introduction
Despite knowledge that hearing protection is designed to protect individuals from hazardous noise exposure, noise-induced hearing disorders (NIHD) persist as a public health concern. Musicians are at higher risk of NIHD due to their exposure to loud music. They are often unprotected, or under-protected, due to the lack of regulation of sound levels during live music events. Even though products developed specifically for musicians are available in the form of musician’s hearing protection devices (MHPD), these products may still cause some sound distortion as the attenuation still varies across frequencies. Previous research suggests level and uniformity of attenuation are significantly associated with ratings of overall sound quality, but the correlations are weak. This study builds on previous research by using custom-fit products (to remove differences in comfort as a confounding factor), recruiting musicians as well as untrained listeners, and adding music perception tests to the test battery.

Methods
Both musicians and untrained listener groups are asked to rate the sound quality of music and complete music perception tests while listening to music through custom-fit passive MHPDs (cMHPDs) and electronic uniform-fit MHPD (eMHPDs). Three attenuation filters are used for the cMHPD (9, 15, and 25 dB attenuations) and three attenuation settings are used for the eMHPD (9 and 15 dB, and an “off” setting).

Results
Data collection is ongoing. Data will be analyzed to test hypotheses related to changes in perceived sound quality and performance on music perception tests with increasing attenuation. We predict ratings of sound quality will decrease with measured increases in attenuation and decreases in the uniformity of attenuation. Additionally, we predict poorer scores on tests of music perception (mistuning and timbre) with increased attenuation and decreased uniformity of attenuation. Lastly, we hypothesize that these MHPDs will have larger effects on perception in the musician group compared to the untrained music listening group.

Discussion
The results of this study will contribute to the understanding of barriers to the use of MHPD by musicians and music appreciators. Data from the music perception tests will reveal whether increasing attenuation compromises performance on pitch and timbre-related tests of perception. If test performance is not compromised, musicians may be more willing to use MHPDs. Findings of compromised performance would suggest a need for longer term studies as musicians may ear-train to devices with additional time and support. Taken together, these findings will help guide education on MHPD use by musicians and music appreciators.

Brief Summary of Clinical Takeaways:
The clinical takeaway would be increased understanding of how to make evidence-based recommendations to musicians and music appreciators to best protect their hearing while also preserving music perception.