Abstract
Personal listening devices (PLDs) have the potential to increase the risk of noise-induced
hearing loss (NIHL) for users. The present study aimed to investigate the nature and
extent of the risk posed, by describing the user profile of a PLD population, identifying
listening habits of that population, and examining whether PLD risk status is associated
with hearing damage. A sample of 4,185 Australian PLD users completed an online survey
about listening behaviors and hearing health. Listeners were characterized as low,
high, or very high-risk based on daily noise dose estimates calculated from self-reported
listening volume and durations. Listening patterns and hearing difficulties were examined
in relation to risk status. Results indicated differences in listening volumes and
durations with respect to age, with higher listening volumes reported for environments
with greater background noise. Fifteen percent of participants' usage was classified
as posing a potential risk to hearing, with a significantly greater proportion of
younger people in higher-risk categories. Forty-one percent of participants reported
feeling they have a hearing loss, with ∼20% reporting difficulties with speech in
noise. For 18- to 35-year-olds, higher-risk status was associated with a greater proportion
of self-reported hearing difficulties, including perceived poorer speech perception.
These results have implications for hearing health promotion activities and suggest
that messages should focus on either volume levels or durations depending on the particular
activity in which the PLD is used. In addition, the results underline the importance
of placing PLD exposure in the context of individuals' wider noise exposure. Although
PLD use alone is not placing the majority of users at risk, it may be increasing the
likelihood that individuals' cumulative noise exposure will exceed safe levels.
Keywords
Personal listening devices - hearing health - noise-induced hearing loss - leisure
noise exposure
