Effects of Cardiovascular Health Factors and Personal Listening Behaviors on Hearing Sensitivity in College-Aged students

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.

Prevalence of hearing loss in college students: a meta-analysis

Introduction

Hearing loss among college students, specifically noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), appears to be increasing. This may be particularly challenging for this population as college students are required to listen to lectures in classrooms that may have suboptimal listening environments. College-aged musicians are at a particularly high risk due to repeated and extended exposure to loud noise. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was (1) to examine the prevalence of hearing loss in college students and (2) to emphasize the importance of detecting hearing loss at 6,000 Hz.

Methods

A meta-analysis was conducted using the PRISMA model. The literature search yielded 8 studies (1,950 subjects) that tested hearing loss using an audiogram and Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAEs). All studies used audiologic tests to detect hearing loss among college students between the ages of 17-35 years.

Results

Results indicate that the prevalence of hearing loss in college students is 19%. In addition, the prevalence of hearing loss at 6,000 Hz is 85% among student musicians. For this meta-analysis, slight sensorineural hearing loss, or thresholds greater than 20 dB bilaterally or unilaterally, qualified as hearing loss.

Discussion

Decreased hearing at 6,000 Hz may lead to an individual's inability to hear important environmental factors and high frequency speech sounds. College students without full auditory function at this frequency may have difficulties performing in class based on decreased attention, comprehension, and memory. Although students may not realize the influence of their 6,000 Hz hearing loss or be unaware of its presence, it could significantly change their likelihood to succeed in college. Therefore, implementing a hearing conservation program may be advised for colleges and universities to help prevent hearing loss in students, particularly for collegiate musicians. In addition, it may be beneficial to screen hearing in college students at 6,000 Hz for better detection of hearing loss overall.

IMPACTS OF AEROBIC EXERCISE ON CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH IN COLLEGE STUDENTS

ABSTRACT Introduction Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major disease that seriously endangers human health. CVD in many adults begins in adolescence and even in childhood. The cardiovascular health of college students in China cannot be ignored. Objective Verify the impacts of aerobic exercise (APA) on the cardiovascular health of college students. Methods The paper uses the literature method to explore the health-promoting role of aerobic exercise in opposing and improving CVD. Also the APA exercise method of effectively improving cardiopulmonary fitness (CRF) to prevent and improve CVD. The results showed that APA can improve microcirculation by increasing microvascular reactivity. Results Coronary blood flow in healthy adults is only 8% to 9% of cardiac bleeding, while coronary blood flow increases by 40% and oxygen intake by 2-2.5 times. Aerobic exercise can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of CVD. Some risk factors related to vascular endothelial dysfunction, such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and coronary artery disease, are often accompanied by the phenomenon of insulin resistance in the induction of CVD. At the same time, improving IR may play an effective role in preventing and treating CVD. Conclusion APA can reduce and suppress the occurrence and development of CVD risk factors such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia and obesity, intestinal microecological disorder, and reduce free radical oxidative damage and apoptosis by improving insulin sensitivity of vascular endothelial cells, inhibiting inflammatory reaction, improving mitochondrial function of cardiomyocytes, reducing body mass index and obesity, and maintaining gut micro-ecological balance, and improving vascular endothelial function and reducing CVD such as myocardial infarction. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigating treatment outcomes.