Personal Audio System: Hearing Symptoms, Habits, and Sound Pressure Levels Measured in Real Ear and a Manikin

Associations Between Recreational Noise Exposure and Hearing Function in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

There is an increasing concern regarding hazardous recreational noise exposure among adolescents and young adults. Daily exposure to loud sound levels over a long period of time can increase the risk of noise-induced hearing loss. The full extent of the impact of recreational noise on hearing is not yet fully understood. The purpose of this review was to synthesize research that investigated hearing function in relation to recreational noise exposure in adolescents and young adults.

METHOD

A systematic literature search of five databases covering the years 2000-2023 was performed. The articles included investigated audiological measurements of hearing function in relation to recreational noise exposure.

RESULTS

Four hundred sixty records were identified, of which 20 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the results. This review showed that although some recreational noise activities can be potentially harmful, there is an unclear relationship between exposure and outcome. Some findings indicated hearing threshold shifts or reduced otoacoustic emission amplitudes after recreational noise exposure, but most changes were short term and in the extended high-frequency range.

CONCLUSIONS

There seemed to be inconsistencies regarding the utilization of methods of measuring exposure and outcome between studies. This might be one reason for the differing results in studies on the reported impact on hearing function from recreational noise exposure. To draw more certain conclusions about long-term effects, there is a need for longitudinal research that utilizes sound level measurements to assess low and high degrees of recreational noise exposure in relation to hearing function.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.25114193.

Young Adults' Knowledge and Perceptions of Permanent Noise-Induced Tinnitus and its Influence on Behavioural Intentions

Objective

Young adults' music-listening behaviours may put them at risk of developing permanent hearing loss and tinnitus. This study aimed to assess knowledge of permanent tinnitus and whether this knowledge may influence listening behaviours to a greater degree than knowledge of hearing loss.

Materials and Methods

A two-group (between subjects), randomised post-test only, single-factor experimental design was used to determine the effects of health message focus (permanent tinnitus vs. permanent hearing loss) on the main outcome measure of protective behavioural intention. The sample included 109 male and 287 female adults, aged 18 to 25 years, living in the United Kingdom. The young adults' existing knowledge of either permanent hearing loss or permanent tinnitus was measured, and after exposure to a health message, their perceptions and resultant behavioural intentions were assessed and compared. The pooled data were used to test a proposed model of factors influencing hearing protective behavioural intention using path analysis.

Results

Whilst 83% knew about the link with hearing loss, only 75% knew that loud music may cause permanent tinnitus. The participants viewed tinnitus as closer temporally than hearing loss, perceived themselves as equally susceptible to both, but perceived hearing loss as more severe. There was no significant difference in behavioural intention between the groups.

Conclusion

Perceived susceptibility and severity have a positive effect on behavioural intentions. In light of these results, recommendations for future noise-damage prevention campaigns are made.

Risky listening behaviour to music via headphones and its determinants - 7.5 years OHRKAN cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To examine risky leisure noise exposure from listening to music via headphones and to identify potential determinants with special focus on portable listening devices (PLDs) among adolescents over a period of 7.5-years.

DESIGN

Data were collected by questionnaires at four equidistant time points (O1-O4). Music exposure via headphones was calculated based on self-reported volume setting and listening duration. Exceeding 85 dB(A) equivalent for a 40-hour working week was defined as risky noise exposure. Determinants of risky headphone and PLD exposure were investigated using generalised estimating equations and accounting for missing data by multiple imputation.

STUDY SAMPLE

Closed cohort of 2148 students attending 9th grade of any secondary school type in Regensburg (Germany), during 2009 to 2011.

RESULTS

Risky noise exposure from headphone usage was almost twice as high in wave O1 and O2 (at age 15 or 18) compared with 20-23-year-olds in O3 and O4. Risky exposure to headphones and PLDs were associated with younger age, low and medium education, single-parent household and smoking, whereas good self-rated hearing showed a protective effect. Additionally, not being born in Germany was associated with risky PLD exposure.

CONCLUSION

Before harmful behaviours become entrenched, starting preventive efforts at a young age is essential.

Dangerous Decibels Program in Elementary and Middle School Students: Effectiveness After a 6-Month Follow-Up

PURPOSE

The purpose of this article was to assess the effectiveness of the Dangerous Decibels (DD) program in students in the short- and medium-term follow-ups (up to 6 months), including an online game.

METHOD

A randomized trial was conducted between two interventions (DD and placebo). The research included 58 participants who were divided into two groups: the study group (SG) and the control group. The following phases were developed: intervention (DD or placebo), post-3-month assessment and availability of the online game, and post-6-month assessment. A questionnaire was administered to assess their performance. Overall total scores and category scores were obtained.

RESULTS

Improved overall scores were found in the SG in the immediate post-intervention (p = .004), post-3-month (p = .022), and post-6-month (p = .002) questionnaires, as well as the knowledge and behavior categories.

CONCLUSIONS

The DD program effectively improved the knowledge and behavior of 10- to 12-year-old children regarding noise in the short- and medium-term follow-ups. However, no significant changes were achieved in terms of barriers only by using the program and the online game. Adding a second intervention (the online game) to the program seems to be a good option to maintain the changes achieved with the interactive class.