The Influence of Different Music Genres on Hearing Performance in Noise

A fast tempo and major mode music improves cognitive performance by triggering a feeling of happiness. This study examines the impact of music on hearing performance, hypothesizing that listening to happy music may improve hearing performance in noise. Sixty-three normal hearing subjects aged between 18 and 35 years old were included. The subjects were randomly assigned to three groups: happy music, sad music, and control groups. The songs composed in minor mode with a tempo of \<80 beats per minute were categorized as \"sad,\" while songs composed in major mode with a tempo of \>120 beats per minute were categorized as \"happy\". The Audible Contrast Threshold (ACT) Test and Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) were administered before and immediately after playing the music tracks. Repeated measures ANOVA test was run to compare the changes in measurement scores before and after listening to music.