Survey on the harmfulness of listening to music with headphones
Buffe, P.; Cudennec, Y.F.; Ben Azzouz, M.; Bassoumi, T.; Ferron, J.J.
Annales d'Oto-Laryngologie et de Chirurgie Cervico Faciale Bulletin de la Societe d'Oto-Laryngologie des Hopitaux de Paris 103(5): 351-355
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-438X PMID: 3688735 Document Number: 277668
A survey conducted in 52,000 young male subjects evaluated the influence of listening to music with stereophonic headphones on perception hypacusis leading to exemption from National Service. Also investigated were noise level output from promenaders as well as temporary auditory loss two minutes after listening for one hour. Findings suggested relative innocuity of listening at moderate intensity for less than seven hours weekly. Users exceeding these optimal factors develop professional type deafness for which similar preventive measures are required. Particular mention is made of the effect of strolling listeners on vigilance and on sound pollution of industrialized countries.