HEARING LOSS IN HEADPHONE USERS OF YOUNGER AGE GROUP: A RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF 500 STUDENTS

Dr Sandip M Parmar; Dr Masood A Khan; Dr Meenu Chaudhary; Dr Hamjol S Chakkal; Dr Abhimanyu Sangwan

Volume : VI, Issue : III, March - 2017

HEARING LOSS IN HEADPHONE USERS OF YOUNGER AGE GROUP: A RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF 500 STUDENTS

Dr Sandip M Parmar, Dr Masood A Khan, Dr Meenu Chaudhary, Dr Hamjol S Chakkal, Dr Abhimanyu Sangwan

Abstract :

Introduction: Approximately, 20–30 million people between the age group of 20 and 69 years have high frequency he� loss due to chronic exposure to loud noise above 90 decibels (dB) which is mainly due to the advent of MP3 players and cell phones, according to the National Institute of Deafness. Studies have shown that most MP3 players today can produce sounds up to 120 dB and that long–term cell phone use to hear music may cause damage in the inner ear. Hence, this study was conducted to create awareness regarding prolonged exposure to loud noise either through an MP3 player or cell phone music. Results and Observations: The study revealed high frequency he� loss in 8% of Group A and 2% in Group B; whereas, in there were no he� impairment in Groups C and D indicating a significant role of prolonged ear phone music as a cause of high frequency he� loss in students. The thin percentage and absence of he� loss in Groups B, C, and D suggests the impact of the duration of exposure also has a role in the pathology. Conclusion: This study proves that the prolonged usage of loud ear phone music is harmful to the ears and he� to ear phone music might cause he� loss.