[The effect of music in discothèques on hearing ability]

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.