PURPOSE: To investigate possible hearing loss in percussionists of a samba school from São Paulo. METHODS: Ten percussionists of a samba school from São Paulo, with ages between 20 and 31 years, participated in this prospective study. Sound pressure levels were measured during a rehearsal and auditory evaluations of the participants were carried out. RESULTS: Mean sound pressure level during rehearsals at the samba school was 111.42 dBA. Six subjects showed normal hearing thresholds in both ears (high frequencies more elevated than medium and low frequencies); three showed unilateral hearing loss; one had bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. CONCLUSION: Four percussionists of the samba school had some degree of hearing loss.
Hearing loss; Hearing loss, noise-induced; Noise, occupational; Music
