Audiometric thresholds and portable digital audio player user listening habits

Abstract

Objective: To examine the relationship between portable digital audio player listening behaviours and (1) measured sound pressure levels, (2) audiometric measures, (3) self-reported hearing loss symptoms. Design: A questionnaire to evaluate listening behaviours, including self-reported hearing loss symptoms and listening duration/volume settings. Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between these variables, audiometric evaluation, calculated exposure levels, Lex(8hr), and measured sound pressure levels, Leq(32sec). Study sample: This study included 103 males and 134 female subjects aged 10 to 17 years. Results: Calculated Lex(8hr) and measured Leq(32sec) levels increased with age and self-reported usage time. Audiometric thresholds averaged over 4 and 8 kHz were higher when usage exceeded five years as compared to less than one year. Higher measured sound pressure levels were associated with worse audiometric thresholds at (0.5, 1, 2 kHz, averaged) and 4 kHz. Self-reported hearing loss symptoms were reported by 33% to 50% of subjects. Conclusions: In this cohort sample, our results support a statistical association between hearing acuity and (1) Self-reported weekly usage in hours; (2) Tightness of fit; (3) Years of usage; and (4) Measured sound pressure levels. Generalizing these results beyond the current sample would require additional research.

Key Words::

• Audiometry
• MP3 player
• self-reported hearing loss

Notes

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the children, adolescents and parents who participated in this study as well as the principals and school boards who agreed to take part in this research project.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Notes

1.Of the 249 subjects, not all subjects completed all three parts of the study (hearing test (HT), student questionnaire (SQ), and parental questionnaire (PQ). There were 229 subjects that had HT on the right ear and 228 subjects that had HT on the left ear (one student had cerumen impaction in the left ear that prevented the HT on this ear; their right ear was tested). There are 7 and 11 subjects with abnormal tympanograms in the right and left ear, respectively. Therefore, HT results from 222 subjects’ right and 217 subjects’ left ears were analysed statistically against the SQ and PQ responses that were provided. Depending on the mixed effects model being fit and the independent variables included in the model, there will be some discrepancies in sample size because not all subjects filled out all questions in the questionnaire. For example, there are two participants who filled out the SQ, but did not enter their grade level. Again, although we have PQ provided from 229 students, either some questions are not completed or they may not be applicable. This would be the case if some participants are from single parent homes. For instance, when education of parent is analysed against HT (including only those who had a HT with normal tympanograms), sample size is 201 for mother's education and 193 for father's education. There were 237 and 229 subjects who provided a SQ and PQ, respectively. There were 212 HT, SQ and PQ; 206 completed HT and PQ; 221 completed HT and SQ and 220 that completed SQ and PQ. There was one subject who completed only the HT and one subject who completed only the SQ. Finally, there were nine subjects who provided only the PQ.