Amplified music exposure carries risks to hearing

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between changes in the outer hair cells and exposure to amplified music in a group of high-school students.Materials and methodsIn this retrospective, case-control study, 86 subjects underwent audiometry, immittance audiometry, and distortion-product otoacoustic emission tests. The subjects were questioned about their listening habits and divided into 2 groups: exposed and unexposed.ResultsMost of the subjects had reduced function in their outer hair cells, mainly beginning at 8 kHz. Among 60 subjects-30 cases and 30 controls-75% were considered exposed and 25% unexposed. The exposed subjects were 9.33 times more likely to have altered outer hair cells than the unexposed subjects were.ConclusionExposure to amplified music is associated with reduced function in the hair cells.