Influence of leisure-time noise on outer hair cell activity in medical students

Prevalence and global estimates of unsafe listening practices in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of unsafe listening practices from exposure to personal listening devices (PLDs) and loud entertainment venues in individuals aged 12-34 years, and to estimate the number of young people who could be at risk of hearing loss from unsafe listening worldwide.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of unsafe listening practices from PLDs and loud entertainment venues. We searched three databases for peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2021 that reported unsafe listening practices in individuals aged 12-34 years. Pooled prevalence estimates (95% CI) of exposed populations were calculated using random effects models or ascertained from the systematic review. The number of young people who could be at risk of hearing loss worldwide was estimated from the estimated global population aged 12-34 years, and best estimates of exposure to unsafe listening ascertained from this review.

RESULTS

Thirty-three studies (corresponding to data from 35 records and 19 046 individuals) were included; 17 and 18 records focused on PLD use and loud entertainment venues, respectively. The pooled prevalence estimate of exposure to unsafe listening from PLDs was 23.81% (95% CI 18.99% to 29.42%). There was limited certainty (p>0.50) in our pooled prevalence estimate for loud entertainment venues. Thus, we fitted a model as a function of intensity thresholds and exposure duration to identify the prevalence estimate as 48.20%. The global estimated number of young people who could be at risk of hearing loss from exposure to unsafe listening practices ranged from 0.67 to 1.35 billion.

CONCLUSIONS

Unsafe listening practices are highly prevalent worldwide and may place over 1 billion young people at risk of hearing loss. There is an urgent need to prioritise policy focused on safe listening. The World Health Organization provides comprehensive materials to aid in policy development and implementation.

Listening Effort Measured Using a Dual-task Paradigm in Adults With Different Amounts of Noise Exposure

OBJECTIVES

Excessive noise levels can result in hearing damage and/or hearing-related symptoms, thereby leading to impaired communication and, eventually a decrease in the quality of life. Moreover, in daily practice, subjects often indicate that listening in noisy situations is a challenging and often exhausting experience, even in the absence of a clinically significant hearing loss. Hence, a person's perceived difficulty of the listening situation will also be important to consider. It has been suggested that beyond the peripheral factors, there are some central cognitive correlates of speech understanding that are essential for communication abilities. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the amount of noise exposure on hearing as measured by pure-tone audiometry and otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) on the one hand and listening effort measured using a dual-task paradigm on the other hand.

DESIGN

The study included 152 adults between 18 and 40 years of age. First, participants completed a self-administered questionnaire regarding the amount of noise exposure. Second, hearing status was evaluated using pure-tone audiometry and transient evoked OAEs (TEOAEs) as well as distortion product OAEs (DPOAEs). Finally, listening effort was evaluated using a dual-task paradigm, which consisted of a primary speech-recognition task in different listening conditions and a secondary visual memory task that were performed both separately and simultaneously. Based on the quartiles of their subjective estimation of noise exposure, the participants were categorized into a group with low noise exposure (lower quartile), moderate noise exposure (two middle quartiles), and high noise exposure (upper quartile).

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in hearing thresholds between the participants with low, moderate, and high noise exposure for each frequency of the pure-tone audiometry. In contrast, more absent TEOAEs and DPOAEs were found in the high noise exposed group. Regarding the primary speech-recognition task of the dual-task paradigm, no significant difference in speech recognition was found between the different groups of noise exposure. For the amount of listening effort, it was found that across all listening conditions subjects with high noise exposure expend significantly more listening effort compared with subjects with low and moderate noise exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is a first exploration of the effects of different amounts of noise exposure on listening effort showing that, listening effort is increased in subjects with high noise exposure compared with subjects with low and medium noise exposure. The most plausible hypothesis pertains to an effect of noise exposure on the peripheral and central auditory system, or a combination of effects on both the auditory system and the high-level cognitive functions necessary for speech understanding in the subjects with high levels of noise exposure. As such, a test for listening effort would be useful as part of a comprehensive test battery within the assessment of subjects exposed to noise.

Leisure Noise Exposure and Associated Health-Risk Behavior in Adolescents: An Explanatory Study among Two Different Educational Programs in Flanders

Adolescents frequently engage in noisy leisure activities which can result in hearing-related problems. However, the effect of leisure noise exposure is liable to an individual's risk-taking behavior. Identifying leisure noise activities and relevant factors related to risk-taking behavior in adolescents, are important to optimize hearing conservation programs targeting youngsters. The purpose of the study was to explore the presence of hearing-related symptoms, as well as noise exposure during various activities, and the use of hearing protector devices (HPDs) in adolescents in two educational programs in Flanders. In addition, their attitudes and beliefs towards noise, hearing loss, and HPDs were investigated. The final sample consisted of 247 adolescents. The most important hearing-related symptoms after noise exposure were tinnitus and noise sensitivity. With regard to leisure noise exposure, listening to PMPs was most frequently reported. The use of HPDs during most noisy activities was limited, in accordance with the presence of hearing-related symptoms, considering noise as unproblematic, and having worse scores on subscales of the beliefs about hearing protection and hearing loss scale. In the future, hearing conservation programs should target adolescents specifically for a more health-orientated behavior towards noise exposure, hearing loss, and HPDs.

Hearing and Exposure to Music in Adolescents From Four Schools of Córdoba, Argentina

Purposes The aims of this study are (a) to characterize the hearing of adolescents from four schools of Córdoba, Argentina, through the analysis of conventional and extended high-frequency audiometric thresholds and otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) and (b) to analyze the association between the mentioned hearing tests and exposure to music. Method It was a cross-sectional correlational descriptive study. Hearing thresholds (250-16000 Hz), transient evoked OAEs, and distortion product OAEs were evaluated in 225 adolescents (450 ears) aged 14 and 15 years. The ears were split into two groups: Group 1 had thresholds ≤ 21 dB HL in all frequencies, and Group 2 had thresholds > 21 dB HL in at least one. Exposure to music was evaluated through a questionnaire. Results Statistically significant differences were found in both ears between Groups 1 and 2. A notch at 3000-6000 Hz was noted in both groups. Group 2 showed a progressive threshold increase from 9000 Hz. Amplitude decrease, negative values, absent distortion product OAEs, and transient evoked OAEs were noted even in Group 1. A statistically significant association between Groups 1 and 2 and the presence/absence of OAEs was observed in most frequencies. Ears with moderate or high exposure to music had greater hearing thresholds compared to ears with low exposure at most frequencies; this was more evident in Group 1. Regarding exposure to music and OAEs, no significant differences were found between the exposure categories. Conclusions The findings highlight the value of implementing hearing conservation programs in Argentina, analyzing hearing tests correlated with questionnaires about recreational noise exposure in order to detect vulnerable ears early.

Prenatal and adult androgen activities in alcohol dependence

OBJECTIVE

Alcohol dependence is more prevalent in men than in women. The evidence for how prenatal and adult androgens influence alcohol dependence is limited. We investigated the effects of prenatal and adult androgen activity on alcohol dependence. Moreover, we studied how the behaviours of pregnant women affect their children's prenatal androgen load.

METHOD

We quantified prenatal androgen markers (e.g., second-to-fourth finger length ratio [2D : 4D]) and blood androgens in 200 early-abstinent alcohol-dependent in-patients and 240 controls (2013-2015, including a 12-month follow-up). We also surveyed 134 women during pregnancy (2005-2007) and measured the 2D : 4D of their children (2013-2016).

RESULTS

The prenatal androgen loads were higher in the male alcohol-dependent patients compared to the controls (lower 2D : 4D, P = 0.004) and correlated positively with the patients' liver transaminase activities (P < 0.001) and alcohol withdrawal severity (P = 0.019). Higher prenatal androgen loads and increasing androgen levels during withdrawal predicted earlier and more frequent 12-month hospital readmission in alcohol-dependent patients (P < 0.005). Moreover, stress levels (P = 0.002), alcohol (P = 0.010) and tobacco consumption (P = 0.017), and lifetime stressors (P = 0.019) of women during pregnancy related positively to their children's prenatal androgen loads (lower 2D : 4D).

CONCLUSION

Androgen activities in alcohol-dependent patients and behaviours of pregnant women represent novel preventive and therapeutic targets of alcohol dependence.

Attitudes toward noise, perceived hearing symptoms, and reported use of hearing protection among college students: Influence of youth culture

The purpose of this study was to assess the attitude toward noise, perceived hearing symptoms, noisy activities that were participated in, and factors associated with hearing protection use among college students. A 44-item online survey was completed by 2,151 college students (aged 17 years and above) to assess the attitudes toward noise, perceived hearing symptoms related to noise exposure, and use of hearing protection around noisy activities. Among the participants, 39.6% experienced at least one hearing symptom, with ear pain as the most frequently reported (22.5%). About 80% of the participants were involved in at least one noise activity, out of which 41% reported the use of hearing protection. A large majority of those with ear pain, hearing loss, permanent tinnitus, and noise sensitivity was involved in attending a sporting event, which was the most reported noisy activity. The highest reported hearing protection use was in the use of firearms, and the lowest in discos/ dances. The reported use of hearing protection is associated with having at least one hearing symptom but the relationship is stronger with tinnitus, hearing loss, and ear pain (χ² = 30.5-43.5, P < 0.01) as compared to noise sensitivity (χ² = 3.8, P = 0.03); it is also associated with anti-noise attitudes, particularly in youth social events. Universities and colleges have important roles in protecting young adults’ hearing by integrating hearing conservation topic in the college curriculum, promoting hearing health by student health services, involving student groups in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) awareness and prevention, and establishing noise level limitations for all on-campus events.

Repeatability of transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions in young adults

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the repeatability and variability of TEOAE characteristics in hearing screening tests performed under practical conditions on normal subjects.

Material/Methods

A group of 11 young, normal-hearing subjects aged 19–24 years was tested. They were examined otologically and audiologically prior to the tests and no ear pathologies were found. Responses were acquired with a commercially available instrument (Integrity, Vivosonic Inc.) using a standardized OAE protocol. The TEOAE tests were repeated 3 times in each subject at random intervals within 24 h. The analyzed parameters of interest were: (i) whole wave reproducibility (WWR) and; (ii) signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

Results

WWR and SNR did not differ significantly among the 3 measurement sessions. In most cases the differences in WWR among measurements were around 1–2% and for SNRs they were 1–4 dB SNRs and were highest in the 1–2 kHz range. TEOAE-based tests can be useful tools for hearing screening.

Conclusions

The tests can give reliable results provided that adequate procedures are used and low-noise conditions are ensured. The tests are best complemented with other examinations to widen the range of ear pathologies able to be detected.

Assessment of knowledge of harmful effects and exposure to recreational music in college students of delhi: a cross sectional exploratory study

Exposure to loud sounds results in a mild to profound degree of temporary or permanent hearing loss. Though occupational noise exposure remains the most commonly identified cause of noise-induced hearing loss, potentially hazardous noise can be encountered during recreational activities. Unfortunately not much attention is being given to the increasing trend of prolonged exposure to noisy environment, in the younger generation of Indians. The purpose of our study was to know the knowledge of college students about the harmful effects of loud music, prevailing practices with regard to exposure to recreational music and the subjective effects that this exposure is causing if any. Cross Sectional survey of College Students (n = 940), from randomly selected colleges of Delhi University. Majority of students listened to music using music-enabled phones; earphones were preferred and 56.6 % participants listened to music on a loud volume. Effects experienced due to loud sound were headache (58 %), inability to concentrate (48 %), and ringing sensation in the ear (41.8 %). Only 2.7 % respondents used ear protection device in loud volume settings. Twenty-three percent respondents complained of transient decreased hearing and other effects after exposure to loud music. 83.8 % knew that loud sound has harmful effect on hearing but still only 2.7 % used protection device. The survey indicates that we need to generate more such epidemiological data and follow up studies on the high risk group; so as to be able to convincingly sensitize the Indian young generation to take care of their hearing and the policy makers to have more information and education campaigns for this preventable cause of deafness.

Effect of recreational noise exposure on hearing impairment among teenage students

Several studies have focused on the potential impact of children's hearing loss on learning and development. Recently, numerous teenage students have been found to be fond of listening to music on personal devices and participating in recreational music activities. The objective of this study was to investigate teenage students' hearing impairment, their experience with recreational noise exposure, and their self-reported hearing. The participants were 1878 first-year students at a university in Taiwan. The result of the pure tone audiometry test showed that 11.9% of the participants had one or two ears with a hearing threshold over 25 dB. Over the past year, approximately 80.9% of the participants had taken part in at least one loud-noise recreational activity, and 90.9% of the participants were in the habit of using earphones. Among the participants, 190 students with a high level of recreational noise exposure were assigned to the exposure group, and 191 students with a low level of recreational noise exposure constituted the control group. The exposure group had more hearing problems than the control group, but no significant difference existed between the two groups in the pure tone audiometry test (p=0.857). It is suggested that the schools should reinforce hearing health education and proactively provide intervention measures, such as hearing tests, evaluation of noise exposure, and hearing protection.

Adolescents and MP3 players: too many risks, too few precautions

OBJECTIVE

The goal was to assess risky and protective listening behaviors of adolescent users of MP3 players and the association of these behaviors with demographic characteristics and frequency of use.

METHODS

In 2007, 1687 adolescents (12-19 years of age) in 68 classes in 15 Dutch secondary schools were invited to complete questionnaires about their music-listening behaviors.

RESULTS

. Ninety percent of participants reported listening to music through earphones on MP3 players; 32.8% were frequent users, 48.0% used high volume settings, and only 6.8% always or nearly always used a noise-limiter. Frequent users were >4 times more likely to listen to high-volume music than were infrequent users, and adolescents in practical prevocational schools were more than twice as likely to listen to high-volume music as were those attending preuniversity education.

CONCLUSIONS

When using MP3 players, adolescents are very likely to engage in risky listening behaviors and are unlikely to seek protection. Frequent MP3 player use is an indicator of other risky listening behaviors, such as listening at high volumes and failing to use noise-limiters.