Sound exposures and hearing thresholds of musicians in a major symphony orchestra

Seventy noise dosimetry samples were obtained for musicians during rehearsals and performances of a major symphony orchestra. Audiograms were obtained for 59 musicians. The Leq during measurement periods ranged from 76–102 dBA (median = 90dBA), corresponding to on‐the‐job daily equivalent values of 72–98 dBA (median = 86 dBA). Using the ISO 1999.2 model, this exposure would be expected to produce 5–8 dB of NIPTS after 30 yr for typical ears (0.5 fractile) or 8–10 dB of NIPTS for very susceptible ears (0.05 fractile). The musicians' average thresholds were better than those for age‐matched reference nonindustrial noise‐exposed populations without occupational noise exposure, and only slightly worse than those for highly screened populations representing aging alone. However, audiogram patterns indicated a slight notch, suggesting a contribution from NIPTS. Bilaterally averaged thresholds for musicians in different instrument sections were essentially equivalent, but violinists and violists grouped together...