Distortion product otoacoustic emission of symphony orchestra musicians before and after rehearsal.

The 2f1-f2 distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) and hearing levels are obtained for 12 normal-hearing symphony orchestra musicians both before and after their rehearsal. The DPOAE fine structures are determined and analyzed according to the character and prevalence of ripples. Hearing levels, DPOAE levels, and DPOAE fine structures before and after rehearsal are similar, indicating that no or marginal temporary change of the state of hearing were caused by the exposure. The data were further compared to similar data for occupationally nonexposed subjects, one group which was age and gender matched, and other two groups of younger individuals (one group with better hearing levels than the other). The data for the age and gender matched group compared well with the musicians data (and the data for the group of better-hearing younger individuals). In general, the analyses of hearing thresholds and DPOAE data thus lead to the same conclusions concerning the state of hearing.