PURPOSE: to investigate the occurrence of auditory complaints in disc jockeys from the city of Recife/PE. METHODS: an interview was carried through with 30 disc jockeys aged between 19 and 48 years, involving occupational information, general knowledge about noise and auditory complaints (diminished auditory acuity, discomfort under intense sound, tinnitus, sultry ear sensation and otalgia). The analysis was carried out through a quantitative approach and using t-student statistical test. RESULTS: among the most relevant data we can empathize that: 46.7% of the disc jockeys showed, spontaneously, auditory complaints, in special, reduction of the auditory acuity (referred by all subjects); 14 disc jockeys (46.67%) related to feel discomfort to intense sound and 13 (43.33%) mentioned tinnitus. All of them affirmed to know the risks of noise related to auditory health, but 76.7% do not apply any prevention against its consequences. Hearing loss was related as the main risk of exposure to high level of sound pressure. CONCLUSIONS: all disc jockeys complained on hearing loss and, among the other auditory complaints, we may emphasize discomfort under intense sound and tinnitus. Considering the irreversibility of high sound pressure induced hearing loss, the disc jockeys might be periodically evaluated as for hearing in order to confirm or discard the hearing loss they complaint. If hearing loss exist, it might be monitored, in order to make possible an intervention by the speech-language therapist. Such being the case, we may perceive the need for speech therapy concerning the disc jockeys for optimizing their professional performance with less risks.
Hearing Loss; Noise Effects; Occupational Noise
