Temporary threshold shifts and attenuation effects of the ER-15 earplug : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible protective effect of the ER-15 earplugs on the hearing of musicians. The subjects played amplified rock and roll music with and without earplugs. The pre- and post-exposure hearing thresholds were analyzed for the presence of temporary threshold shifts. The attenuation effect of the earplugs was also analyzed. The results of this research were somewhat inconsistent and unexpected. Wearing the ER-15 earplugs did not seem to significantly reduce the effects of amplified music exposure on hearing. The ER-15 earplugs were designed to provide 15dB of attenuation at each frequency. The expected 15dB of attenuation was not present at each frequency, however, the differences were only significant at one frequency. Therefore, the ER-15 earplug provided the appropriate amount of attenuation it was designed for at all of the frequencies tested except one.