Changes in Auditory Performance Following a Virtual Reality Music Concert

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Virtual Reality Technology
• Hearing Science

Background:

• Recreational noise exposure, particularly from music, is a significant hearing hazard for young adults.
• In-person concerts and music festivals often exceed recommended daily noise exposure limits.
• While personal music player risks are well-studied, noise-induced hearing loss from virtual reality (VR) headsets remains unevaluated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess auditory risk, including threshold and suprathreshold changes, associated with VR music concert entertainment.
• To investigate the potential for noise-induced hearing loss from using VR headsets for music consumption.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-one young adults (18-25 years) with normal hearing participated.
• Audiometry, distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), and Words-in-Noise tests were conducted pre- and post-VR exposure.
• Participants experienced a 90-minute VR music concert on a Meta Quest 2 headset at maximum volume.

Main Results:

• No significant deficits were found in DPOAEs or Words-in-Noise scores post-exposure.
• A statistically significant temporary threshold shift of 2-3 dB HL was observed at 4, 8, and 12.5 kHz.
• No permanent changes in hearing were detected within 24 hours to 1 week after exposure.

Conclusions:

• VR music concerts, while likely less hazardous than in-person events, can induce minor, temporary threshold shifts.
• VR headsets should be considered in risk assessments for personal music player noise exposure.
• The growing popularity of VR music concerts necessitates further investigation into their auditory risks.