Relationships between Hearing Symptoms, Attitudes toward Noise, and Use of Hearing Protection among College Students

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationships between college students’ hearing symptoms, attitudes toward noise, and use of hearing protection in two situations: exposure to high levels of sound in noisy environments and unsafe use of personal listening devices (PLDs).Methods: A total of 278 college students completed an anonymous online survey regarding their experience with hearing symptoms associated with their exposure to noise, attitudes toward noise, and use of hearing protection.Results: Over 84% of the college students reported experiencing at least one hearing symptom with limited concentration at the highest rate of experience. When the college students were exposed to noise, there were significant associations between college students’ hearing symptoms, attitudes toward noise, and use of hearing protection in the two situations. However, when using personal listening devices, there was insignificant association between hearing symptoms and attitudes toward noise; and use of hearing protection was associated with hearing symptoms but not with attitudes toward noise.Conclusion: College students’ experience with and perception of noise may influence their behavior in preventing hearing loss. It may be beneficial if hearing conservative programs emphasize educating college students of the negative effects of noise and changing their attitudes toward noise, which can help them take preventative measures against noise-induced hearing loss.