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Surrounded by Sound: The Impact of Tinnitus on Musicians

Author

Listed:
  • Georgina Burns-O’Connell

    (British Tinnitus Association, Unit 5 Acorn Business Park, Woodseats Close, Sheffield S8 0TB, UK
    NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Ropewalk House, 113 The Ropewalk, Nottingham NG1 5DU, UK
    Hearing Sciences, Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK)

  • David Stockdale

    (British Tinnitus Association, Unit 5 Acorn Business Park, Woodseats Close, Sheffield S8 0TB, UK)

  • Oscar Cassidy

    (British Tinnitus Association, Unit 5 Acorn Business Park, Woodseats Close, Sheffield S8 0TB, UK)

  • Victoria Knowles

    (British Tinnitus Association, Unit 5 Acorn Business Park, Woodseats Close, Sheffield S8 0TB, UK)

  • Derek J. Hoare

    (NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Ropewalk House, 113 The Ropewalk, Nottingham NG1 5DU, UK
    Hearing Sciences, Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK)

Abstract

AIM: To investigate the impact of tinnitus on professional musicians in the UK. BACKGROUND: Tinnitus is the experience of sound when an external source is absent, primarily associated with the ageing process, hearing loss, and noise exposure. Amongst populations exposed to industrial noise, noise exposure and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) have been found to be the factors most associated with tinnitus. The risk of NIHL amongst professional musicians is greater than that amongst the general population, meaning they may be at increased risk of tinnitus. METHODS: Seventy-four professional musicians completed an online survey involving closed and open-ended questions, and completed the Tinnitus fuctional Index (TFI) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of open-ended qualitative responses were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Three themes were generated from the analysis of the responses to the open-ended questions. These themes were: (1) the impact of tinnitus on the lives of professional musicians, (2) professional musician experience of tinnitus services, support, and hearing health and safety, and (3) the support professional musicians want. The mean global TFI score for professional musicians was 39.05, interpreted as tinnitus being a moderate problem. Comparisons with general population data revealed lower TFI scores for the TFI subscales of ‘sense of control’ and ‘intrusiveness’ for professional musicians and higher for auditory difficulties associated with tinnitus amongst professional musicians. CONCLUSION: Tinnitus can negatively impact on professional musicians’ lives. There is a need for bespoke self-help groups, awareness raising, and education to prevent tinnitus and promote hearing health among musicians.

Suggested Citation

  • Georgina Burns-O’Connell & David Stockdale & Oscar Cassidy & Victoria Knowles & Derek J. Hoare, 2021. "Surrounded by Sound: The Impact of Tinnitus on Musicians," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-16, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:17:p:9036-:d:623207
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Arianna Di Stadio & Laura Dipietro & Giampietro Ricci & Antonio Della Volpe & Antonio Minni & Antonio Greco & Marco De Vincentiis & Massimo Ralli, 2018. "Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Hyperacusis, and Diplacusis in Professional Musicians: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-14, September.
    2. Samson Jamesdaniel & Kareem G. Elhage & Rita Rosati & Samiran Ghosh & Bengt Arnetz & James Blessman, 2019. "Tinnitus and Self-Perceived Hearing Handicap in Firefighters: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-9, October.
    3. Massimo Ralli & Maria Paola Balla & Antonio Greco & Giancarlo Altissimi & Pasquale Ricci & Rosaria Turchetta & Armando De Virgilio & Marco De Vincentiis & Serafino Ricci & Giancarlo Cianfrone, 2017. "Work-Related Noise Exposure in a Cohort of Patients with Chronic Tinnitus: Analysis of Demographic and Audiological Characteristics," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-17, September.
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