Headphone listening habits and hearing thresholds in swedish adolescents

Abstract

Introduction:The aim of this study was to investigate self-reported hearing and portable music listening habits, measured hearing function and music exposure levels in Swedish adolescents. The study was divided into two parts.Materials and Methods:The first part included 280 adolescents, who were 17 years of age and focused on self-reported data on subjective hearing problems and listening habits regarding portable music players. From this group, 50 adolescents volunteered to participate in Part II of the study, which focused on audiological measurements and measured listening volume.Results:The results indicated that longer lifetime exposure in years and increased listening frequency were associated with poorer hearing thresholds and more self-reported hearing problems. A tendency was found for listening to louder volumes and poorer hearing thresholds. Women reported more subjective hearing problems compared with men but exhibited better hearing thresholds. In contrast, men reported more use of personal music devices, and they listen at higher volumes.Discussion:Additionally, the study shows that adolescents listening for ≥3 h at every occasion more likely had tinnitus. Those listening at ≥85 dB LAeq, FF and listening every day exhibited poorer mean hearing thresholds, reported more subjective hearing problems and listened more frequently in school and while sleeping.Conclusion:Although the vast majority listened at moderate sound levels and for shorter periods of time, the study also indicates that there is a subgroup (10%) that listens between 90 and 100 dB for longer periods of time, even during sleep. This group might be at risk for developing future noise-induced hearing impairments.

Health problems and healthcare needs among youth in Swedish secure residential care

“…The prevalence was greater compared with a comprehensive US survey with the same methodology as ours (Shargorodsky, Curhan, Curhan, & Eavey, ) that examined 2,300 adolescents aged 12–19. The US study found mild or worse hearing loss among 5% of the study population, and results are considered to be generalisable to the US population (there are no comparable Swedish studies of ‘normal population’ adolescents; see Widén, Bålsjö, Möller, & Kähäri, ). Our sample is small but high rates of hearing problems among youth in secure residential units have been reported previously (e.g., Shelton, ).…”

Headphone use and anxiety

“…[10] The same rate was found as 90% in a study in Sweden. [2] Headphone use while resting was found as 56%, which was found as 60% and 25% in two other studies. [2,10] Use while studying was found as 42% and use while doing sports was 39%.…”

“…Another study found the presence of ear-related symptoms as 7%. [2] There was a positive correlation between this question and total scores (p<0.05). There was a negative correlation between results of this question and minimal anxiety score of 0-7 (p<0.05).…”

“…A study from Sweden found that 97% of young people listen to music with headphones and 80% spend 0.5-2 hours a day with headphones. [2] This degree of exposure of the ear to such stimuli has brought with it the ear disorder tinnitus. [3] The indispensable daily use of headphones has not only affected ear health but also emotional state.…”

Possible Effect of Headphone Usage on Working Memory Among Students in Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria‒Nigeria

“…Listening to headphones while memorizing words triggered a mood-dependent effect that caused mental disruption, and therefore, a decrease in memory retention [8]. Women have been reported to be more subjective to hearing problems when compared with men but exhibited better hearing thresholds [9]. The present study aimed at investigating the possible adverse effects use of headphones caused to working memory in long term mobile headphones users.…”