Music And Music-Induced Hearing Loss

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From Kiss screaming “I Love it Loud, I wanna hear it loud,” to the Black Eyed Peas belting out “play it loud, baby play it loud,” loud music has spanned generations. For most people it is always been seen simply as fun entertainment. However as time goes on it is becoming more and more obvious just how dangerous “playing it loud” actually is. Musicians, music venue workers, DJs, and now even people listening to a personal music players, such as an iPod are in danger. Since music is such a large part of American culture, our society should educate those at risk on music-induced hearing loss so that music can continue to be enjoyed throughout life. Listening to loud music for an extended amount of time presents the risk of music-induced hearing loss or the loss of sensitivity to sound because of overexposure to loud music. With music overexposure and music-induced hearing loss it is important to realize the risks for musicians, other people in the music business, and people listening to portable music players (PMPs) and start looking for ways to protect and prevent music-induced hearing loss.
Music-induced hearing loss is associated with many risks. Listening to loud music has been attributed to a vast array of problems. According to Strasser “Noise-induced hearing loss continues to be the most common occupational disease in industrialized countries.” (Strasser, Chiu, Irle, & Wagener, 2008). One reason listening to loud music for an extended period of time puts people at risk for hearing loss is because it causes damage to and even loss of the hair cells in the Organ of Corti that essentially are responsible for the sensation of hearing (Zhao, Manchaiah, French, & Price, 2010). These hair cells will regenerate after some damage b...

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...(2009). Music venues and hearing loss: Opportunities for and barriers to improving environmental conditions. International Journal of Audiology, 48 (8), 531-536. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com. ezproxy .mtsu.edu/ehost/detail?hid=119&sid=c20cef51-b8ea-47f6-8b23 a9db06d6616%40sessionmgr113&vid=4&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhv c3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=eoah&AN=19208507 Wardrop, M. (2011, March 4). Phil Collins calls time on music career. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/8357382/Phil-Collins-calls-time-on-music-career.html
Zhao, F., Manchaiah, V.K.C., French, D., & Price, S.M. (2010) Music exposure and hearing disorders: An overview. International Journal of Audiology, 49 (1), 54-64. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.
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