Audiogram data usually have a skewed (i.e. positively slanting) distribution as
hearing thresholds increase rather than decrease. We assumed that our tested sample was large enough to approach a normal distribution, so we could use parametric tests for the audiometric data (Dawson-Saunders and Trapp 1994). Data which were obtained per ear (i.e. audiometric-, and OAE-data) on various frequencies were tested using a general linear model (GLM) Repeated measures ANOVA. Differences on separate audiometric frequencies were tested with a MANOVA over ears. Data that were obtained on individuals (i.e. data on loudness perception, and speech-reception thresholds in noise), or in combination with the audiometric data were analysed using paired sample t tests, and bivariate correlations. The significance learn more level used for all the tests and the correlations was p = 0.05 or smaller. Data on frequencies (e.g. diplacusis, tinnitus, self-report data, etc.) were analysed using non-parametric tests (Kruskall–Wallis, Chi-square) with a similar significance
level (p < 0.05). The focus is on the following results: The status of the hearing Temsirolimus cost of musicians as compared to a general population. The specific subjective complaints of musicians in relation to objectively measurable facts. The differences between musicians in the previously defined instrument categories. Whenever possible, we compared our data to that of known population numbers. In analyses over instrument categories, percussion (PC) and other (OT) were not included as the number of musicians in these categories did not exceed 20. Where relevant, the results of the percussionists will be discussed qualitatively. Results Effects in the pure-tone audiogram A vast majority of the musicians P-type ATPase (92%) reported healthy ears. Forty-one (17%) indicated to have suffered
from ear infections in childhood. Sixty-five (27%) ever Histone Methyltransferase inhibitor visited an ENT-doctor for complaints about their hearing. Eighty-nine (37%) indicated hearing problems in the family, mostly related to presbyacusis. No association with ear infections in early childhood and the presence of hearing problems in the family could be found in the data set. NIHL is generally associated with a notch-shaped high-frequency sensorineural loss that is worst at 4 kHz, but the notch often occurs at 3 or 6 kHz as well (e.g. Coles et al. 2000). There have been several attempts to identify audiometric notches according to objective criteria (Coles et al. 2000; Rabinowitz et al. 2006; Niskar et al. 2001). In these studies, audiograms are usually divided in normal hearing, age related hearing loss, and noise induced hearing loss. Applying these criteria, most of the audiograms of our musicians would be identified as normal hearing, a few as NIHL and some as age related hearing loss. As we would like to get more insight in the development of the musicians’ hearing (i.e.