Hearing loss

Active listening

Communication

Biology

Computer science

Acoustics

Business

Paleontology

Physics

Test (biology)

Advertising

Psychology

Image (mathematics)

Noise exposure

Artificial intelligence

Medicine

Noise (video)

Audiology

Symphony

Epidemiology

ISEE-0526 Background and Objectives: Personal music players are increasingly used by adolescents. The objective of the study was to measure the noise exposure of students attending a secondary school (Québec; Canada) from their personal music player. Methods: Students (age: 14–17) were asked to answer a questionnaire concerning exposure to noise during leisure activities and listening habits of personal music players. It was offered to those who used a personal music player to measure the noise from their device. The measures of noise in dBA were performed with the Symphony software. Using the listening habits documented, the equivalent continuous noise for 8 hours (LAeq,8h) was estimated. Variables of interest (age, sex …) were compared according to a LAeq,8h of 80 dBA and a LAeq,8h of 85 dBA using χ2 tests or Fisher’s exact test. Trends were tested using Mantel Haenszel χ2 test. Results: Of 164 students who responded to the questionnaire, 141 (86%) used a personal music player. Of these, 124 (88%) agreed to measure the noise of their device. The average LAeq,8h from the personal music player was 82.59 dBA (range: 51.45–110.34). Respective proportions of 60% (75/124) and 42% (52/124) of subjects were exposed to levels of noise above a LAeq,8h of 80 dBA and 85 dBA. There was no relationship between sex and dose of noise, however there was a significant trend to a decrease in exposure with age. Overall, students who were most exposed to noise of their personal music player reported tinnitus more often. Conclusion: Efforts should be made to inform young people and their parents on the harmful effects of noise on hearing and of the importance to limit the noise from personal music players.

Exposure to Noise from Personal Music Players for High School Students