A descriptive analysis of university music performance teachers' sound -level exposures during a typical day of teaching, performing, and rehearsing

The purpose of this study was to describe sound-level exposures of university music performance teachers. Using a personal dosimeter, sound-level exposures were measured across two work days. The Leq value and measured time were used to calculate the daily sound-dose percentage. The primary research question was as follows. Do university music performance teachers experience sound levels that result in dose percentages that meet or exceed standards recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in group and individual teaching environments during typical work days? For exploratory purposes, hearing thresholds of university music performance teachers were measured and described. Additionally, of interest to the researcher are university music performance teachers' answers to questions relative to hearing health and hearing history.;Thirty-seven university music performance teachers participated in a sound survey across two days of normal teaching activities. Each music performance teacher wore a Cirrus Research CR:100B doseBadge personal dosimeter set to standards recommended by NIOSH. The dosimeter was placed on the shoulder within four inches of the ear to collect sound levels experienced for the duration of each workday. The dosimeters were placed on a shoulder in a manner that would not interfere with performance of their instruments during teaching demonstration and ensemble rehearsals. Additionally, the effects of other variables on sound-level averages were examined, including, teaching specialization, teaching activity (e.g., individual, group, lecture, meeting), number of students or participants in teaching activity, and performance level(s) of participants in a teaching activity (e.g., undergraduates, graduates, faculty).;Thirteen music performance teachers (35%) experienced sound levels resulted in dose percentages exceeding standards recommended by NIOSH for single days measured. Two-day averages showed that 12 music performance teachers (32%) experienced sound levels that resulted in dose percentages exceeding standards recommended by NIOSH. Five music performance teachers (14%) experienced sound levels that resulted in dose percentages exceeding standards recommended by OSHA for single days measured. Two-day averages showed that 2 (5%) music performance teachers experienced sound levels that resulted in dose percentages exceeding standards recommended by OSHA.;Eighty-seven percent (N = 22) of subjects tested had at least one hearing threshold in one ear >15 dB HL indicating a hearing loss. Twenty-two percent of subjects (n = 8) reported using earplugs during teaching, performing, or practicing.