Does Prolonged Exposure to Music Increase Listening Effort and Fatigue?

Abstract

Background: Hearing loss due to excessive exposure to loud music is a common phenomenon which is termed as music induced hearing loss. Exposure to high levels of music causes effects similar to that of exposure to the high levels of noise including hearing loss and difficulty in understanding speech in noise. However, the effect of prolonged exposure to high levels of music, on listening effort and listening related fatigue are not well studied. Aim: The study aimed to understand listening effort and fatigue in individuals exposed to music for a prolonged period of time. Method: 45 individuals in the age range of 18 to 35 years, took part in the study. They were divided into music listners and non-music listners based on their duration of exposure to music through personal listening devices. After collecting demographic data, output sound pressure levels were measured from the personal listening devices (in the music listeners). Listening effort was measured using dual task paradigm, and listening related fatigue was measured using Vanderbilt fatigue scale adult-40 questionnaire in Kannada. Results: The findings showed a significant difference in listening-related fatigue between music listners and non-music listners. Conclusion: listening related fatigue was significantly higher among long term listners of music. Since this was seen in the absence of hearing loss or other symptoms, auditory fatigue may be used as an early tool to detect the effects of prolonged exposure to loud music.