a comparison of the digits-in-noise test and extended high frequency response between formally trained musicians and non-musicians

Background and aim: musical training has been hypothesised to result in enhanced speechperception in noise (spin) abilities, but prolonged exposure to music also increases therisk for music-induced hearing loss (mihl). the signal-to-noise ratios (snr) and theextended high frequency (ehf) thresholds between formally trained musicians and nonmusicianswere compared to determine the effect of musical training on musicians’ spin andhearing abilities.methods: this cross-sectional study included 40 musicians and 39 non-musicians 18–30years, with mean age (sd) 22.43(2.71) years. ehf audiometry and the digits-in-noise (din)test were conducted via a smartphone.results: differences found between the two groups regarding the din test and ehf thresholdswere statistically insignificant. musicians displayed early signs of mihl as the musiciansreported significantly more (p=0.004) instances of tinnitus than non-musicians. a statisticallysignificant correlation was found only for the non-musician group between the 12.5 khzthreshold left and the snr obtained in the diotic listening condition (rs=-0.465; p=0.003).conclusion: the results suggested that musicians did not display a significant advantage forspin and did not appear to have significantly poorer ehf hearing sensitivity. however, slighttrends were noticeable in the musicians which gravitated more towards studies that foundenhanced spin abilities and elevated ehf thresholds in the musician population. in the future,it may be useful to include additional speech tests (open-set) alongside the din test (closed-set).the present study suggests that ehf audiometry may be used for the early detection of mihl.