Psychosocial and physiological correlates of self-reported hearing problems in male and female musicians in symphony orchestras

Hasson, Dan; Theorell, Töres; Liljeholm-Johansson, Yvonne; Canlon, Barbara

doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2009.07.009

Cited by 51 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 56 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…In a previous study we found that individuals with hearing problems have a poorer ability to unwind or activate their parasympathetic system [24]. The present study confirms and strengthens this association since problems unwinding are strongly related to sleeping problems.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Thus, taking into consideration the results of individuals with hearing problems (hearing complaints and tinnitus) of the present study and findings from prior tinnitus studies, it is becoming more apparent that stress can increase the prevalence of hearing problems. Furthermore, it has been shown that individuals with hearing problems have a worsened ability to unwind and activate the parasympathetic system [24]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The importance of a normal functioning of the HPA-axis for healthy hearing is supported by clinical studies showing that patients with tinnitus display signs of an impaired HPA-axis along with a higher degree of perceived stress, compared to non-tinnitus patients [21-23]. Additionally, Hasson et al [24] recently found that symphony orchestra musicians with hearing problems exhibited lower heart rate variability (high frequency power), indicating an impaired ability to "unwind" and activate the parasympathetic system.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Stress and prevalence of hearing problems in the Swedish working population

et al. 2011

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundCurrent human and experimental studies are indicating an association between stress and hearing problems; however potential risk factors have not been established. Hearing problems are projected to become among the top ten disabilities according to the WHO in the near future. Therefore a better understanding of the relationships between stress and hearing is warranted. Here we describe the prevalence of two common hearing problems, i.e. hearing complaints and tinnitus, in relation to different work-and health-related stressors.MethodsA total of 18,734 individuals were invited to participate in the study, out of which 9,756 (52%) enrolled.ResultsThe results demonstrate a clear and mostly linear relationship between higher prevalence of hearing problems (tinnitus or hearing loss or both) and different stressors, e.g. occupational, poorer self-rated health, long-term illness, poorer sleep quality, and higher burnout scores.ConclusionsThe present study unambiguously demonstrates associations between hearing problems and various stressors that have not been previously described for the auditory system. These findings will open new avenues for future investigations.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Stress and prevalence of hearing problems in the Swedish working population

et al. 2011

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…It is also possible that performance-related musculoskeletal disorders have an impact on psychological wellbeing. Evidence of an interactive impact between hearing and psychological health, with self-reported hearing problems associated with a perceived poorer psychosocial environment, mental health symptoms and stress has been observed in this population (Hasson et al, 2009). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Sound Practiceâ€”improving occupational health and safety for professional orchestral musicians in Australia

et al. 2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Sound Practice Project is a 5-year study involving baseline evaluation, development, and implementation of musician-specific work health and safety initiatives. A cross-sectional population physical and psychological survey and physical assessment were conducted at the same time, with an auditory health assessment conducted later. The results were used to guide the development of a series of targeted interventions, encompassing physical, psychological, and auditory health components. This paper provides an overview of the project but focuses on the health findings arising from the cross-sectional survey. Three hundred and seventy-seven musicians from the eight professional symphony orchestras in Australia took part in the cross-sectional study (about 70% of eligible musicians). Eighty-four percent (84%) of musicians reported past performance-related musculoskeletal disorder (PRMD) episodes; 50% were suffering a current PRMD. Of the 63% who returned hearing surveys, 43% believed they had hearing loss, and 64% used earplugs at least intermittently. Noise exposure was found to be high in private practice, although awareness of risk and earplug use in this environment was lower than in orchestral settings. Improved strategic approaches, acoustic screens and recently developed active earplugs were found to provide effective new options for hearing protection. With respect to psychosocial screening, female musicians reported significantly more trait anxiety, music performance anxiety, social anxiety, and other forms of anxiety and depression than male musicians. The youngest musicians were significantly more anxious compared with the oldest musicians. Thirty-three percent (33%) of musicians may meet criteria for a diagnosis of social phobia; 32% returned a positive depression screen and 22% for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PRMDs and trigger point discomfort levels were strongly associated with increasing severity of psychological issues such as depression and music performance anxiety.

show abstract

“…Even an interview derived decreased self-rated health score below the level of good was associated with significantly decreased serum testosterone [47]. Negative associations between the psychosocial working environment and testosterone were described [48].…”

Section: Physical or Mental Stressmentioning

confidence: 94%