[The effect of music in discothèques on hearing ability]. / Zum Einfluss von Musik in Diskotheken auf die Hörfähigkeit.

ABSTRACT

The risk of hearing loss due to exposure to music in discotheques is discussed on the basis of VDI guideline No 2058, Bl 2. The hypothesis of a relationship was investigated in two empirical studies. In 204 pupils aged 13-19 years, a positive statistical relation of the 4 kHz hearing threshold on the music-hearing habits reported was observed. The difference between the extreme groups of noise exposure was approximately 4 dB (p less than 0.05) on a group average. The evaluation of audiograms of 3133 youths aged 16-20 years applying for a job performed during the medical tests required for employment, showed that those young people with a striking internal ear hearing loss of greater than 30 dB in the area of the C5 depression had spent significantly more time in discotheques than those without striking findings.