David Bächinger1,2, Raphael Jecker3, Jean-Christoph Hannig4,5, Andreas Werner3, Horst Hildebrandt6, Michael Eidenbenz7, Martin Kompis8, Tobias Kleinjung9,10, Dorothe Veraguth9,10. 1. Klinik für Ohren‑, Nasen‑, Hals und Gesichtschirurgie, Universitätsspital Zürich, Frauenklinikstraße 24, 8091, Zürich, Schweiz. david.baechinger@usz.ch. 2. Universität Zürich, Zürich, Schweiz. david.baechinger@usz.ch. 3. Tonmeister/Departement Musik, Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, Zürich, Schweiz. 4. Klavierbau und Konzerttechnik, Werkstatt für Klaviere und Flügel, Musik Hug AG, Bülach, Schweiz. 5. Departement Musik, Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, Zürich, Schweiz. 6. Musikphysiologie, Musik- und Präventivmedizin, Departement Musik, Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, Zürich, Schweiz. 7. Direktion, Departement Musik, Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, Zürich, Schweiz. 8. Universitätsklinik für Hals, Nasen- und Ohrenkrankheiten, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, Inselspital, Universitätsspital Bern, Bern, Schweiz. 9. Klinik für Ohren‑, Nasen‑, Hals und Gesichtschirurgie, Universitätsspital Zürich, Frauenklinikstraße 24, 8091, Zürich, Schweiz. 10. Universität Zürich, Zürich, Schweiz.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Perfect hearing is crucial to the practice of various professions, such as instrument makers, musicians, sound engineers, and other professions not related to music, such as sonar technicians. For people of these occupational groups, we propose the term "professional ear user" (PEU) in analogy to "professional voice user". PEUs have special requirements for their hearing health, as they have well-known above-average auditory perceptual abilities on which they are professionally dependent. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this narrative review is to summarize selected aspects of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of ear disorders in PEUs. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Prevention of hearing disorders and other ear diseases includes protection from excessive sound levels, avoidance of ototoxins and nicotine, and a safe manner of cleaning the outer auditory canal. Diagnosing hearing disorders in PEUs can be challenging, since subclinical but relevant changes in hearing cannot be reliably objectified by conventional audiometric methods. Moreover, the fact that a PEU is affected by an ear disease may influence treatment decisions. Further, physicians must be vigilant for non-organic ear diseases in PEUs. Lastly, measures to promote comprehensive ear health in PEUs as part of an educational program and to maintain ear health by means of a specialized otolaryngology service are discussed. In contrast to existing concepts, we lay the attention on the entirety of occupational groups that are specifically dependent on their ear health in a professional setting. In this context, we suggest avoiding a sole focus on hearing disorders and their prevention, but rather encourage the maintenance of a comprehensive ear health.
BACKGROUND: Perfect hearing is crucial to the practice of various professions, such as instrument makers, musicians, sound engineers, and other professions not related to music, such as sonar technicians. For people of these occupational groups, we propose the term "professional ear user" (PEU) in analogy to "professional voice user". PEUs have special requirements for their hearing health, as they have well-known above-average auditory perceptual abilities on which they are professionally dependent. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this narrative review is to summarize selected aspects of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of ear disorders in PEUs. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Prevention of hearing disorders and other ear diseases includes protection from excessive sound levels, avoidance of ototoxins and nicotine, and a safe manner of cleaning the outer auditory canal. Diagnosing hearing disorders in PEUs can be challenging, since subclinical but relevant changes in hearing cannot be reliably objectified by conventional audiometric methods. Moreover, the fact that a PEU is affected by an ear disease may influence treatment decisions. Further, physicians must be vigilant for non-organic ear diseases in PEUs. Lastly, measures to promote comprehensive ear health in PEUs as part of an educational program and to maintain ear health by means of a specialized otolaryngology service are discussed. In contrast to existing concepts, we lay the attention on the entirety of occupational groups that are specifically dependent on their ear health in a professional setting. In this context, we suggest avoiding a sole focus on hearing disorders and their prevention, but rather encourage the maintenance of a comprehensive ear health.
Authors: Christi M Barbee; Jessica A James; Jin Hyung Park; Emily M Smith; Carole E Johnson; Shari Clifton; Jeffrey L Danhauer Journal: Semin Hear Date: 2018-06-15
Authors: David Bächinger; Andreas H Eckhard; Christof Röösli; Dorothe Veraguth; Alexander Huber; Adrian Dalbert Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol Date: 2020-06-24 Impact factor: 2.503
Authors: Min Kyu Kim; Won-Tae Kim; Hyun Min Lee; Hong Seo Choi; Yu Ra Jo; Yangsoon Lee; Jaemin Jeong; Dongho Choi; Hee Jin Chang; Dae Shick Kim; Young-Joo Jang; Chun Jeih Ryu Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-12-30 Impact factor: 3.240