JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, April 20, 2018-- Bottom Line: People who attended an outdoor music festival who did not use earplugs, used alcohol and/or drugs and were male were more likely to experience temporary hearing loss.
Why The Research Is Interesting: During the past two decades, the frequency of hearing loss among young people has increased and going to music concerts, clubs and festivals may part of the reason. Noise-induced hearing loss because of recreational noise exposure may be reduced by using earplugs.
Who and When: 51 adults who attended an outdoor music festival in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in September 2015
What (Study Measures): Music festival visit for 4.5 hours (intervention); temporary hearing loss (outcome)
How (Study Design): A secondary analysis of data from a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Veronique J. C. Kraaijenga, M.D., University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands, and coauthors
Results: Factors associated with temporary hearing loss:
- Nonuse of earplugs
- Use of alcohol and drugs
- Being male
Study Limitations: The inability to detect hidden hearing loss in study participants.
Study Conclusions:
For more details and to read the full study, please visit the For The Media website.
