Alzahrani Rajab A, Taishan Wafaa S, Ali Mujtaba, Almaymoni Abdulrahman A, Althunayyan Turki S, Al Sulaiman Ibrahim N, Hobani Assal B, Ibrahim Ziad A, Alharbi Manar O, Alzahrani Thamer, Mony Jad M, Aljedaani Yassmin
Unit of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Al Baha University, Al Baha, SAU.
Department of Otolaryngology, King Faisal Hospital, Makkah, SAU.
Cureus. 2024 Aug 13;16(8):e66793. doi: 10.7759/cureus.66793. eCollection 2024 Aug.
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a prevalent and preventable health issue globally. This study aims to evaluate the symptoms, knowledge, beliefs, and preventive practices regarding NIHL among the general population of the southern region of Saudi Arabia.
MATERIALS & METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to July 2024, using a self-administered, validated electronic questionnaire distributed in Arabic via social media platforms. The questionnaire assessed socio-demographic data, NIHL awareness, attitudes toward prevention, and personal practices regarding noise exposure. The sample included 400 participants analyzed using SPSS version 23 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), with associations measured through the chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.
Most participants were Saudi nationals (97%) and females (81.3%). Symptoms of NIHL, such as tinnitus and the need to increase TV or radio volume, were prevalent among participants. Most participants (88.5%) were aware that high sound levels affect hearing, yet only 9.5% correctly identified the minimum duration of exposure that could harm hearing. Social media was the primary source of information (51.3%). Positive preventive practices were noted, with 66% lowering device volumes and 55.3% recommending sound restrictions on tablets. Significant associations were found between better preventive practices and higher income as well as marital status.
The study highlights the high basic awareness of NIHL but identifies critical knowledge gaps regarding the minimum sound level and duration that affect hearing negatively. Enhanced public health education and technological interventions are needed to improve prevention practices. Future research should include longitudinal studies and diverse populations to better understand and address NIHL.
噪声性听力损失（NIHL）是全球普遍存在且可预防的健康问题。本研究旨在评估沙特阿拉伯南部地区普通人群中关于NIHL的症状、认知、信念及预防措施。
2024年5月至7月进行了一项横断面研究，使用通过社交媒体平台以阿拉伯语分发的自我管理、经过验证的电子问卷。该问卷评估了社会人口统计学数据、NIHL认知、对预防的态度以及关于噪声暴露的个人行为。样本包括400名参与者，使用SPSS 23版（IBM公司，纽约州阿蒙克）进行分析，通过卡方检验和费舍尔精确检验测量相关性。
大多数参与者是沙特国民（97%）和女性（81.3%）。NIHL的症状，如耳鸣以及需要调高电视或收音机音量，在参与者中很普遍。大多数参与者（88.5%）意识到高声级会影响听力，但只有9.5%正确识别出可能损害听力的最短暴露时长。社交媒体是主要信息来源（51.3%）。注意到了积极的预防措施，66%的人会调低设备音量，55.3%的人建议对平板电脑设置声音限制。在更好的预防措施与较高收入以及婚姻状况之间发现了显著相关性。
该研究突出了对NIHL的较高基本认知，但也指出了在影响听力的最低声级和时长方面存在关键知识差距。需要加强公共健康教育和技术干预以改善预防措施。未来的研究应包括纵向研究和不同人群，以更好地理解和应对NIHL。
