MM103 - Rock and Roll and Audiology: A Hearing Loss Prevention Outreach Program

Abstract:
Hearing loss prevention (HLP) outreach to music venues has benefits for concertgoers, event staff, and your audiology clinic. A HLP outreach program was developed to help individuals at concerts reduce their risk of music induced hearing loss by providing free, easy access to hearing protection and hearing health education. This presentation will describe the process of developing and sustaining a HLP outreach program to a large concert venue. Data on attitudes about hearing protection and sound levels measurements taken at concerts will be reviewed. The presenters will discuss the benefits of the program for concertgoers, event staff, and clinic relations.

Summary:
Music venue staff and concert attendees are often exposed to damaging levels of sound for extended periods of time, which can lead to music induced hearing loss (MIHL) (Beach et al., 2015; Wartinger et al., 2019). To reduce the risk of MIHL, utilizing hearing protection and practicing safe listening habits is vital (Chasin, 2009). There are factors, however, that prevent concert attendees and venue staff from utilizing hearing protection, including pre-existing beliefs about wearing hearing protection as well as its cost and accessibility (Barlow & Castilla-Sanchez, 2012; Beach et al., 2015).

A hearing loss prevention (HLP) outreach program was designed to help individuals at concerts reduce their risk of MIHL by providing free, easy access to hearing protection and hearing health education. The outreach includes distributing earplugs, fitting venue staff with custom concert plugs, and distributing mini-flyers about healthy hearing. This outreach began in 2021 and is ongoing.

To examine the needs for and benefits of this outreach, data was collected on the venue employees’ attitudes regarding hearing loss and hearing protection, the sound levels in one concert venue, and the number of free earplugs distributed at concerts over a 12 month period.

A survey was distributed to music venue staff to assess the knowledge about MIHL as well as the need for hearing protection when exposed to loud levels of music. Participants for the survey included employees of Frank Productions (FPC) and were recruited with permission granted by a production manager.

Sound level measurements were taken with a calibrated sound level meter to assess the need for hearing protection for venue staff and concert attendees. Sound levels were measured using a 3M SD-200 Class 2 Integrating sound level meter (SLM) and the Decibel X- Pro Sound Meter app for androids. The Sylvee in Madison, Wisconsin was chosen as the music venue for sound level data measurements due to the location, concert size, and draw. The 27,500 square feet concert venue has a capacity of 2,500 people.

Free earplugs were distributed by audiologists and Au.D. students at the Sylvee music venue over a 12-month period. Earplugs were labeled with fun facts regarding the importance of hearing health and the clinic’s contact information. The number of earplugs distributed was counted after each concert, and the attitude toward hearing protection was observed and recorded.

Data revealed that this HLP outreach is necessary and effective. Sound levels measured at the Sylvee were in the 85.3-101.6 dB A range. Concert attendees welcomed the outreach, and they frequently seek out the outreach table to request earplugs. At the time of this submission, 429 pairs of earplugs have been distributed. The UWSHC has shared information with the public on its website and social media platforms about this outreach to further public awareness on hearing health and hearing loss prevention. The partnership has been sustained over the past year with plans for expansion in the future.