Hearing levels of secondary school band directors

Pure-tone AC HTLs were obtained from 52 secondary-school band directors aged 25-58 yrs with 1-28 yrs experience as directors. None reported any history of ear disease or excessive noise exposure other than their musical backgrounds. Groups I, II, and III had mean director experience of 5.3, 12,3, and 20.5 yrs, respectively. The hearing levels of Groups I, II, and III were, respectively, 5, 10, and 15 db less sensitive than those of comparably aged men with no noise exposure (Corso, 1963). SPLs in dbA of typical director locations were assessed. Though the 8-hr time-weighted exposures of the directors were below the "action level" for initiating a hearing conservation program, periodic audiometry was recommended.