Abstract

Practical evidence has shown that professional musicians are often exposed to high sound levels, which can lead to noise-induced hearing loss. This risk is particularly noticeable in drummers. Percussion instruments produce impulsive noise that is known to be more harmful than continuous noise of the same energy. Additionally, metrological constraints limit the accurate assessment of the actual noise exposure that drummers experience during their practice sessions. The primary objective of this article is to present the results of noise exposure measurements taken from a group of 21 drummers during a controlled rehearsal session in a recording studio. Specialized equipment, including high-pressure microphones positioned at the entrance of the drummers' ear canals, was used for these measurements. The results showed that the overall noise level during a typical rehearsal reached 103 dBA, while the corresponding kurtosis-adjusted level was 108.3 dBA. Notably, 90.5% of participants exceeded the NIOSH recommended exposure limit, and 62% experienced impulsive peak levels above 140 dBC during the rehearsal session. These findings indicate a significant risk of hearing impairment for drummers who play for extended periods, highlighting the need for preventive measures to protect this group.