Effects of Conventional and Musician-Specific Hearing Protection Devices on Speech Intelligibility

(1) Background: To assess and compare speech intelligibility with conventional universal musician-specific hearing protection devices (HPD); (2) Methods: The sample comprised 15 normal-hearing musicians of both sexes who had been professionals for more than 5 years. They underwent thorough audiological assessment free-field audiometry to measure the attenuation levels three HPD models (musician-specific, silicone, foam devices). sentence recognition thresholds in quiet (SRTQ) noise (SRTN) were assessed Lists Sentences Portuguese. User satisfaction musician was after 2 months; (3) Results: Conventional higher pure-tone mean HPD. No statistically significant differences found SRTQ SRTN between types. However, signal-to-noise ratios percentages correct words from sentences presented other answers also indicated a positive trend toward HPD; (4) Conclusions: Despite lack while wearing either or noise, provided greater musical sound quality. This reinforces possibility an effective adequate use preserve musicians’ hearing.