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

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association between pure tone hearing sensitivity and music listening behaviors among traditional college-aged students and sought to determine factors that mediate hearing sensitivity, including health and fitness levels, gender, and personal listening device (PLD) use. METHODS: A convenience sample of college students (N = 182; 133 females, 49 males, mean age = 19.8 ± 1.4 year, average PLD use = 1.52 ± 7.1 hours•day-1) completed hearing assessments, music listening behavior questionnaires, and health and fitness tests. RESULTS: Most students listened to music at safe intensity levels (<80 dBA), though 18% had higher hearing levels (≥25 dB HL at one of the measured frequencies). Longer listening duration behavior approached but did not reach a statistical association with compromised hearing sensitivity. Of all variables measured, including cardiovascular health, fitness, and music listening, two variables: total cholesterol: triglycerides (TC:TG) and total cholesterol: high-density lipoproteins (TC:HDL) significantly associated with hearing sensitivity at 2 kHz. The odds hearing loss occurring at 4 kHz was 59% lower in females compared with males. CONCLUSION: The majority of college students had healthy music listening behavior and fitness, contributing to normal hearing sensitivity in most. In cases where greater hearing threshold levels at one or more frequencies was detected, TC:HDL and TC:TG were statistically related and at 2 kHz, males were more likely to demonstrate higher listening levels compared with females of similar health and fitness level.

College students' personal listening device usage and knowledge.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the usage and knowledge of safe limits on personal listening devices (PLD) among college students. DESIGN: First, information on health history was collected. Second, microphone in real ear techniques determined eardrum to free-field correction factors. Third, hearing levels were evaluated and information gathered about knowledge of safe listening behaviors. STUDY SAMPLE: 180 college students participated in a one-hour session using their PLDs and earphones set to their personal preference. RESULTS: Virtually all participants reported knowledge of hearing loss risk due to PLD use and accurately recognized their own PLD listening levels (p = .01) as either within or exceeding safe sound limits. Forty-four subjects listened at greater than 80-dBA free-field equivalent levels. Only 7% of these participants were aware of these hazardous levels and 15% of participants' exposure surpassed free-field equivalent levels normalized to eight hours. CONCLUSIONS: Despite reported knowledge of hearing loss risk due to PLD use in virtually all college students, 1 in 4 were found to listen to their PLDs at free-field equivalent levels greater than 80-dBA, with 94% unaware of their potential risk. Further research is needed to provide accurate PLD listening information and evaluate the possibility of long term PLD intensities that surpass recommended safety levels on hearing loss in adults over time.

Music listening behavior, health, hearing and otoacoustic emission levels.

This study examined the relationship between hearing levels, otoacoustic emission levels and listening habits related to the use of personal listening devices (PLDs) in adults with varying health-related fitness. Duration of PLD use was estimated and volume level was directly measured. Biomarkers of health-related fitness were co-factored into the analyses. 115 subjects ages 18-84 participated in this study. Subjects were divided into two sub-groups; PLD users and non-PLD users. Both groups completed audiological and health-related fitness tests. Due to the mismatch in the mean age of the PLD user versus the non-PLD user groups, age-adjusted statistics were performed to determine factors that contributed to hearing levels. Age was the most significant predictor of hearing levels across listening and health-related fitness variables. PLD user status did not impact hearing measures, yet PLD users who listened less than 8 hours per week with intensities of less than 80 dBA were found to have better hearing. Other variables found to be associated with hearing levels included: years listening to PLD, number of noise environments and use of ear protection. Finally, a healthy waist-to-hip ratio was a significant predictor of better hearing, while body mass index approached, but did not reach statistical significance.