Hearing acuity in young people exposed to pop music and other noise.

An investigation by questionary, otological examination, and audiometry has been carried out on 505 students in higher education. Statistically significant hearing losses were found in the group that admitted frequent attendance at pop-music entertainment compared with a control group. Losses associated with vacation employment in loud noise or with gunfire exposure were also identified. Thses losses were unrecognised before investigation and indicate the need for preventive action.