Safe Sound: Highlighting Electronic Dance Music Attendees' Unique Hearing Protection Practices

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Public Health
• Music Psychology

Background:

• Studies indicate electronic dance music attendees (EDMAs) may use hearing protection (HP) more frequently than non-EDM attendees (non-EDMAs).
• The underlying reasons for this disparity in HP usage remain unclear.
• This research investigates EDMA community characteristics influencing HP use and explores strategies to boost non-EDMA HP adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore community characteristics of EDMAs that may explain their higher hearing protection usage.
• To identify strategies for increasing hearing protection use among non-EDMAs.
• To compare hearing protection habits and beliefs between EDMAs and non-EDMAs.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous online survey was distributed across music forums to 2022 participants (1049 EDMAs, 1153 non-EDMAs).
• Propensity-score matching was employed to account for demographic and attendance variables.
• Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, t-tests, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic/ordinal regressions to examine factors related to hearing protection use, including high-fidelity earplugs (HFEs).

Main Results:

• EDMAs reported attending more live music events and experiencing more post-event tinnitus and hearing difficulties.
• After matching, EDMAs demonstrated significantly higher HP use (70.47% vs. 59.40%), consistency, and preference for HFEs (64.52% vs. 31.45%).
• EDMAs showed greater concern for hearing damage and belief in HP efficacy, while non-EDMAs perceived HP as unnecessary or detrimental to music quality. EDMAs were more influenced by social media and peer recommendations for HP.

Conclusions:

• Leveraging social networks and community-driven awareness campaigns, particularly promoting high-fidelity earplugs (HFEs), can enhance hearing protection uptake among non-EDMAs.
• Addressing concerns about music quality is crucial for increasing non-EDMA hearing protection adoption.
• Community engagement and social influence are key factors in promoting hearing protection behaviors.