# Vestibulocochlear system and quality of life in musicians: a study on the effects of auditory exposure

## TL;DR

This study found that sound exposure within safe limits can benefit the auditory and vestibular systems and improve quality of life in musicians.

## Contribution

The study provides empirical evidence on the positive effects of controlled sound exposure on musicians' vestibulocochlear systems and well-being.

## Key findings

- Musicians showed increased auditory thresholds at 3 and 4 kHz frequencies.
- Significant differences were found in cervical VEMP latencies and left ocular VEMP P15 wave latency in musicians.
- VEMP waves were larger in men than in women, and musicians reported satisfactory quality of life.

## Abstract

To evaluate and compare the effects of sound exposure on the vestibulocochlear system and the quality of life among musicians.

Fifty-six individuals participated, including 28 musicians and 28 non-musicians, aged 18 to 45 years, of both genders. Participants underwent medical history assessment, basic audiological evaluation, vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP), and exclusively, WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire.

Professional and enthusiast musicians participated, showing increased auditory thresholds at 3 and 4 kHz frequencies and considerably satisfactory quality of life. There was significance in cervical VEMP latencies and the latency of the P15 wave in the left ocular VEMP of the study group compared to the control group. VEMP demonstrated larger waves bilaterally in men compared to women.

It was concluded that sound exposure, within tolerance limits in terms of time and intensity, was capable of providing auditory, vestibular, and quality of life benefits for musicians.

Avaliar e comparar os efeitos da exposição sonora no sistema vestíbulococlear entre os grupos e a qualidade de vida dos musicistas.

Participaram 56 indivíduos, sendo 28 musicistas e 28 não-musicistas, com faixa etária de 18 a 45 anos e de ambos os sexos. Os participantes foram submetidos à anamnese, avaliação audiológica básica, potencial evocado miogênico vestibular (VEMP) e, exclusivamente, os musicistas ao questionário WHOQOL-Bref.

Participaram musicistas profissionais e entusiastas que apresentaram limiares auditivos aumentados nas frequências de 3 e 4KHz e qualidade de vida consideravelmente satisfatória. Houve significância nas latências do VEMP cervical e na latência da onda P15 do lado esquerdo do VEMP ocular do grupo estudo em relação ao grupo controle. O VEMP demonstrou ondas maiores bilateralmente nos homens em comparação com as mulheres.

Concluiu-se que a exposição sonora, dentro dos limites de tolerância em tempo e intensidade, foi passível de proporcionar benefícios auditivos, vestibulares e de qualidade de vida para os musicistas.