Prevention of Music-induced Hearing Disorders

Ensemble-based instructional activities offered in collegiate level schools of music are analogous to school sports in that the instructor/director determines and leads the type and pace of educational activities. However, unlike professionals trained in physical education, professionals directing ensemble-based instructional activities are often unaware of various health risks associated with learning music in an ensemble-based setting.
This session will describe recent educational and technical advances designed to empower individual instructors, students, and educational institutions to prevent music-induced hearing disorders This approach is being recognized by the NIOSH/NHCA Alliance through the 2010 Safe in Sound award for innovation in hearing conservation.

Kris Chesky, Ph.D.
After completing his undergraduate degree from the Berklee College of Music in trumpet/jazz studies, Kris Chesky worked as a band leader and sideman. During graduate studies at University of North Texas, he studied music therapy with TWU Professor Donald Michel and worked for a psychiatric in-patient hospital in Fort Worth. After completing his doctorate, he conducted research on the pain-relieving effects of music vibration at the UNT Health Sciences Center, UT-San Antonio and at Cook Children’s Hospital of Fort Worth.
 
Chesky is an associate professor within the UNT College of Music and director of the Texas Center of Music and Medicine. He oversees and teaches courses in music medicine including an undergraduate course, Occupational Health: Lessons for Music. Chesky is Executive director of the health promotion in Schools of Music project and holds leadership positions in the Performing Arts Medicine Association and the National Hearing Conservation Association. Currently, he performs with the Mesquite Repertory Arts Ensemble and the Pecos River Brass.

Chesky has received research grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Grammy Foundation, NAMM, IFMR, the Scott Foundation, and others to study health issues related to learning and performing music. He has published scientific research articles in the areas of epidemiology, biomechanics, audiology, and mental health. He has participated in many meetings over the past 15 years, both nationally and internationally.