IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-6-3-10370 Original Research Paper HEARING LOSS IN HEADPHONE USERS OF YOUNGER AGE GROUP: A RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF 500 STUDENTS Sandip M Parmar Dr. Dr Meenu Chaudhary Dr. Dr Abhimanyu Sangwan Dr. March 2017 6 3 01 02 ABSTRACT

 Introduction: Approximately, 20–30 million people between the age group of 20 and 69 years have high frequency hearing 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 hearing loss in 8% of Group A and 2% in Group B; whereas, in there were no hearing impairment in Groups C and D indicating a significant role of prolonged ear phone music as a cause of high frequency hearing loss in students. The thin percentage and absence of hearing 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 hearing to ear phone music might cause hearing loss.