Tuz Deniz, Sariçamlik Selin, Bodur Ceren, Kirazli Gülce, Akmeşe Pelin Piştav
Department of Audiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ege University, 35575 Izmir, Türkiye.
Department of Audiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Atilim University, 06830 Ankara, Türkiye.
Noise Health. 2025;27(125):179-186. doi: 10.4103/nah.nah_137_24. Epub 2025 Apr 29.
Background Exposure to loud music has been reported to affect high-frequency hearing thresholds in adults. This study aimed to use a mobile application to assess the risk of hearing loss associated with personal listening devices (PLDs) in young adults. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 99 healthy iPhone Operating System (iOS) smartphone users aged 17 to 31 years. Based on their weekly, monthly, 6-month, and annual listening data from the "Health" application, participants were classified into at-risk or non-risk groups. Six individuals in the at-risk group underwent audiological assessments. The Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ) was given to all participants. SSQ scores were compared between groups using the Mann-Whitney U test. The correlation between average PLD sound levels and SSQ scores was analyzed using the Spearman's test. Results The weekly, monthly, 6-month, and annual listening data showed that 16, 14, 12, and 12 participants were at risk, respectively. All six participants who underwent audiological assessment exhibited normal hearing thresholds. However, a pattern of decline at high frequencies was noted. A significant difference was found between the groups in terms of overall SSQ score (z = -2.74, P = 0.00), speech perception score (z = -3.25, P = 0.00), and hearing quality score (z = -2.01, P = 0.04) based on the 6-month and annual listening data. A weak positive correlation was found between the SSQ scores across all subscales and monthly sound-level data. Exposure duration was negatively correlated with speech perception (r = -0.32, P < 0.05), spatial perception (r = -0.26, P < 0.05), and overall score (r = -0.29, P < 0.05) in weekly data, as well as with hearing quality (r = -0.21; P < 0.05) and overall score (r = -0.21, P < 0.05) in annual data. Conclusions The immediate effects of loud music exposure were absent; however, prolonged exposure resulted in reduced speech perception and hearing-quality levels. Data from the iOS "Health" application indicated that some individuals were at risk of hearing loss, suggesting the need to modify their listening habits to prevent long-term decline in hearing function.
背景 据报道，接触大声的音乐会影响成年人的高频听力阈值。本研究旨在使用一款移动应用程序来评估年轻成年人中与个人听力设备（PLD）相关的听力损失风险。方法 对99名年龄在17至31岁之间的健康苹果手机操作系统（iOS）智能手机用户进行了一项横断面研究。根据他们从“健康”应用程序中获取的每周、每月、6个月和每年的听力数据，将参与者分为有风险组或无风险组。有风险组中的6人接受了听力评估。向所有参与者发放了言语、空间和听力质量量表（SSQ）。使用曼-惠特尼U检验比较组间的SSQ分数。使用斯皮尔曼检验分析平均PLD声级与SSQ分数之间的相关性。结果 每周、每月、6个月和每年的听力数据显示，分别有16、14、12和12名参与者有风险。所有接受听力评估的6名参与者听力阈值均正常。然而，注意到在高频处有下降趋势。根据6个月和每年的听力数据，两组在总体SSQ分数（z = -2.74，P = 0.00）、言语感知分数（z = -3.25，P = 0.00）和听力质量分数（z = -2.01，P = 0.04）方面存在显著差异。在所有子量表的SSQ分数与每月声级数据之间发现了微弱的正相关。在每周数据中，暴露持续时间与言语感知（r = -0.32，P < 0.05）、空间感知（r = -0.26，P < 0.05）和总体分数（r = -0.29，P < 0.05）呈负相关，在每年数据中与听力质量（r = -0.21；P < 0.05）和总体分数（r = -0.21，P < 0.05）呈负相关。结论 未发现大声音乐暴露的即时影响；然而，长期暴露会导致言语感知和听力质量水平下降。来自iOS“健康”应用程序的数据表明，一些个体有听力损失风险，这表明需要改变他们的听力习惯以防止听力功能的长期下降。
