STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA AND PERSONAL MUSIC PLAYERS LISTENING

Vazquez C, del Oro Saez CP, Gigirey LM.

Audilogy Unit. University of Santiago de Compostela.

Introduction: Last studies show that young people exposed to social noise had increased to around 19% since 80 decade. It is estimated that between 5-10% of personal music players users in the EU (2.5-10 million people) risk permanent hearing loss due to an “inappropriate use” of this technology (long-time exposure at high volume)

Objetives: The main purpose of our study is assessed the effect of personal media players use on the students hearing of the University of Santiago the Compostela. We also have investigated if our university students know the harmful effects of loud sounds exposure on auditory health.

Method: A total of 225 younger students (aged 18-23) of the University of Santiago participated in this study during a two-year period (2004-2006). A questionnaire was given to the students in order to know their listening habits and their knowledge of noise exposure outcomes on  hearing . Pure tone audiometry was performed to determine the hearing thresholds in the  250-6000 Hz range.

Results: Statistical analysis shows that 99.56% of people under study, heard music and a high percent of them (75%) reported being concerned about the harmful effect of loud sounds exposure on hearing. With regard listening hours, 26.62% of the students heard music 1-2hours per week, 28.06% between 3-4hours and 45.32% between 5-7hours per week.

Otherwise, 46.30% of the students that were worried about the risk of noise exposure on hearing, listened music 5-7hours per week.

Conclusion: Results suggest a wide use of personal media players for the students at the University of Santiago de Compostela although their knowledge about the hazardous effects of loud sounds  exposure on hearing.

E-mail: luz.gigirey@usc.es