Noise-induced Hearing Damage Research Articles

Jsou naše vyšetřovací metody dostatečně citlivé vzhledem k poškození sluchu hlukem?

Based on the comparison of the answers from the original questionnaire regarding the noise burden of music noise through headphones and other noisy activities in young people aged 16–18 years with the results of an audiometric examination using a threshold tone audiogram, it was confi rmed, contrary to the generally widespread information, that in this age group, there is no hearing impairment. We explain this fact by the young age of the examinees, i.e. the high resistance of the hearing apparatus to noise. Similar results are also reported in current professional literature, which is signifi cantly poor in this issue. Similar results have not yet been published in the Czech literature. If, according to the literature, initial symptoms of hearing impairment were found, then exclusively in the high-frequency audiometric area. The answer to the question whether “are our investigation methods sensitive enough to noise-induced hearing damage” is a clear NO. If we would like to record preventively the initial states of hearing damage from noise, including music consumed through headphones, then we must investigate with high-frequency audiometry. Key words hearing – noise impairment – headphones – young age – high-frequency audiometry

Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Damage by Supporting Self-Management of Exposure through Design Solutions

Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Damage by Supporting Self-Management of Exposure through Design Solutions

Higher education audiometric research: HEAR—Onsite Assessment of Conservatoire Students

Through analysis of the ISO 1999 dataset it was found that half of noise induced hearing damage occurs in the first three years of adult life. As a result the Higher Education Audiometric Research project was founded in the UK with the ambition of minimizing this damage through educational awareness and on-site testing and assessment. In the UK, 50% of this age group are in higher education. Through the newly established UK Hearing Conversation Association awareness was raised through the “Love Sound – Listen with Care” campaign. Using long-term links with the Royal Academy of Music two on-site hearing screening methodologies were compared in a pilot study involving 23 students. The obvious advantage of onsite testing and assessment being convenience. The two methodologies were audiometry using Kudawave Prime based on active noise canceling headphones, and otoacoustic emissions using Hearing Coach software and Path Medical instrumentation. Presented are the results in terms of consistency, test-retest, and ease of use/practical application.

A forskolin-loaded nanodelivery system prevents noise-induced hearing loss.

Hearing loss is the most common sensory disorder worldwide and may result from age, drugs, or exposure to excessive noise. Crossing the blood-labyrinth barrier to achieve targeted drug delivery to the inner ear is key to the treatment of hearing loss. We designed a nanoparticle (NP)-based system for targeted drug delivery of forskolin (FSK) to the inner ear, driven by the prestin-targeting peptide LS19 ("ligand-receptor type interaction"). In vivo experiments in developing zebrafish embryos (4-96h past fertilization) and mice confirmed that LS19-FSK specifically targeted and accumulated in zebrafish lateral line neuromasts and mouse outer hair cells (OHCs). LS19 peptide modification enabled LS19-FSK-NPs to rapidly target OHCs with high specificity. Furthermore, the multifunctional LS19-FSK-NPs were successfully delivered to the OHCs via the round window membrane route and exhibited slow-release properties. The sustained release and intracellular accumulation of FSK inhibited apoptosis of OHCs. Compared with LS19-NPs and FSK-NPs, LS19-FSK-NPs provided significantly stronger protection against noise-induced hearing damage, based on auditory brainstem responses at 4, 8, 16, and 32kHz. Thus, our specially designed targeted nano-delivery system may serve as a basis for future clinical applications and treatment platforms and has the potential to significantly improve the treatment results of many inner ear diseases.

Phenotype of Mrps5-Associated Phylogenetic Polymorphisms Is Intimately Linked to Mitoribosomal Misreading.

We have recently identified point mutation V336Y in mitoribosomal protein Mrps5 (uS5m) as a mitoribosomal ram (ribosomal ambiguity) mutation conferring error-prone mitochondrial protein synthesis. In vivo in transgenic knock-in animals, homologous mutation V338Y was associated with a discrete phenotype including impaired mitochondrial function, anxiety-related behavioral alterations, enhanced susceptibility to noise-induced hearing damage, and accelerated metabolic aging in muscle. To challenge the postulated link between Mrps5 V338Y-mediated misreading and the in vivo phenotype, we introduced mutation G315R into the mouse Mrps5 gene as Mrps5 G315R is homologous to the established bacterial ram mutation RpsE (uS5) G104R. However, in contrast to bacterial translation, the homologous G → R mutation in mitoribosomal Mrps5 did not affect the accuracy of mitochondrial protein synthesis. Importantly, in the absence of mitochondrial misreading, homozygous mutant MrpS5G315R/G315R mice did not show a phenotype distinct from wild-type animals.

Low-sound-level auditory processing in noise-exposed adults

Early signs of noise-induced hearing damage are difficult to identify, as they are often confounded by factors such as age, audiometric thresholds, or even music experience. Much previous research has focused on deficits observed at high intensity levels. In contrast, the present study was designed to test the hypothesis that noise exposure causes a degradation in low-sound-level auditory processing in humans, as a consequence of dysfunction of the inner hair cell pathway. Frequency difference limens (FDLs) and amplitude modulation depth discrimination (MDD) were measured for five center frequencies (0.75, 1, 3, 4 and 6 kHz) at 15 and 25 dB sensation level (SL), as a function of noise exposure, age, audiometric hearing loss, and music experience. Forty participants, aged 33-75 years, with normal hearing up to 1 kHz and mild-to-moderate hearing loss above 2 kHz, were tested. Participants had varying degrees of self-reported noise exposure, and varied in music experience. FDL worsened as a function of age. Participants with music experience outperformed the non-experienced in both the FDL and MDD tasks. MDD thresholds were significantly better for high-noise-exposed, than for low-noise-exposed, participants at 25 dB SL, particularly at 6 kHz. No effects of age or hearing loss were observed in the MDD. It is possible that the association between MDD thresholds and noise exposure was not causal, but instead was mediated by other factors that were not measured in the study. The association is consistent, qualitatively, with a hypothesized loss of compression due to outer hair cell dysfunction.

Noise in the Mining Work Environment - Causes, Effects and Threats

According to the reports, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, millions of employees in Europe are exposed daily to industrial noise and all risks associated with it. About 7% of employees suffer from a hearing problem and noise-induced hearing damage is the most common occupational disease in Europe because it accounts for about one-third of all work-related diseases and is more common than skin and respiratory diseases. The industries with the highest noise emissions in the work environment include heavy industry, mining and construction, although the noise is also increasingly appearing in other sectors of the economy. The research issues discussed in the article introduce the issue of noise in the mining work environment of Polish hard coal mines and identify its causes, effects and threats. The article presents the results of hearing screening tests conducted in 2019 using the Mobile Hearing Diagnosis Center among over 3,000 employees of 37 hard coal mines located in the Slaskie and Malopolskie voivodships and describes the effects of exposure to noise among employees. The article also identifies noise sources and presents the level of their emissions in connection with the operation of machinery and equipment used in Polish hard coal mining. The obtained results of the measurement of the sound intensity of mining machines and devices point to repeatedly exceeding the permissible hygienic standards of Polish and European noise emission. The results of the research presented in the article indicate the urgent need to take action to constantly control the noise level at the workplace and introduce solutions that will enable its reduction and allow better protection of employees against its disastrous consequences. The article is an interesting case study of research conducted in a natural industrial environment that allows you to start a broad discussion on harmful factors in the work environment and look for solutions that increase the level of employee safety during work.

Investigating the effects of noise exposure on self-report, behavioral and electrophysiological indices of hearing damage in musicians with normal audiometric thresholds

Musicians are at risk of hearing loss due to prolonged noise exposure, but they may also be at risk of early sub-clinical hearing damage, such as cochlear synaptopathy. In the current study, we investigated the effects of noise exposure on electrophysiological, behavioral and self-report correlates of hearing damage in young adult (age range = 18–27 years) musicians and non-musicians with normal audiometric thresholds. Early-career musicians (n = 76) and non-musicians (n = 47) completed a test battery including the Noise Exposure Structured Interview, pure-tone audiometry (PTA; 0.25–8 kHz), extended high-frequency (EHF; 12 and 16 kHz) thresholds, otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), auditory brainstem responses (ABRs), speech perception in noise (SPiN), and self-reported tinnitus, hyperacusis and hearing in noise difficulties. Total lifetime noise exposure was similar between musicians and non-musicians, the majority of which could be accounted for by recreational activities. Musicians showed significantly greater ABR wave I/V ratios than non-musicians and were also more likely to report experience of - and/or more severe - tinnitus, hyperacusis and hearing in noise difficulties, irrespective of noise exposure. A secondary analysis revealed that individuals with the highest levels of noise exposure had reduced outer hair cell function compared to individuals with the lowest levels of noise exposure, as measured by OAEs. OAE level was also related to PTA and EHF thresholds. High levels of noise exposure were also associated with a significant increase in ABR wave V latency, but only for males, and a higher prevalence and severity of hyperacusis. These findings suggest that there may be sub-clinical effects of noise exposure on various hearing metrics even at a relatively young age, but do not support a link between lifetime noise exposure and proxy measures of cochlear synaptopathy such as ABR wave amplitudes and SPiN. Closely monitoring OAEs, PTA and EHF thresholds when conventional PTA is within the clinically ‘normal’ range could provide a useful early metric of noise-induced hearing damage. This may be particularly relevant to early-career musicians as they progress through a period of intensive musical training, and thus interventions to protect hearing longevity may be vital.

Application of Hyperbaric Therapy Following Acoustic Trauma – Case Report

Introduction: Acoustic trauma is noise-induced hearing damage. It can occur as a result of a strong sound stimulus or explosion, which causes a pressure wave, which causes in the organism the damage of structures filled with air, e.g. tympanic membrane. Acoustic trauma has many consequences in the form of: deterioration or complete loss of hearing, tinnitus, crackling, feeling of confusion and constant fatigue, headaches and dizziness. It also has a significant impact on the quality of life – it hinders people-to-people contacts and prevents professional activities and may be the cause of depressive disorders. Acoustic trauma can be treated, among others, through the use of hyperbaric therapy, which has a wide spectrum of activity in many fields of medicine. Aim: The aim of the study was to present the legitimacy of using oxygen treatment at increased pressure in a patient after acute acoustic trauma. Material and method: The study was conducted at Hyperbaric Therapy Center CREATOR in Lodz (Didactic and Research Center of the Medical University of Lodz). As a research method, case study was used in an individual patient after an acoustic trauma. Using the extended interview questionnaire and analysis of available medical records. Conclusion: Hyperbaric therapy may be a useful method in the treatment of acute acoustic trauma.

Occupational noise exposure: A review of its effects, epidemiology, and impact with recommendations for reducing its burden.

Exposure to hazardous noise is one of the most common occupational risks, both in the U.S. and worldwide. Repeated overexposure to noise at or above 85 dBA can cause permanent hearing loss, tinnitus, and difficulty understanding speech in noise. It is also associated with cardiovascular disease, depression, balance problems, and lower income. About 22 million U.S. workers are currently exposed to hazardous occupational noise. Approximately 33% of working-age adults with a history of occupational noise exposure have audiometric evidence of noise-induced hearing damage, and 16% of noise-exposed workers have material hearing impairment. While the Mining, Construction, and Manufacturing sectors typically have the highest prevalence of noise exposure and hearing loss, there are noise-exposed workers in every sector and every sector has workers with hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss is preventable. Increased understanding of the biological processes underlying noise damage may lead to protective pharmacologic or genetic therapies. For now, an integrated public health approach that (1) emphasizes noise control over reliance on hearing protection, (2) illustrates the full impact of hearing loss on quality of life, and (3) challenges the cultural acceptance of loud noise can substantially reduce the impact of noise on worker health.

Double deletion of Panx1 and Panx3 affects skin and bone but not hearing.

Pannexins (Panxs), large-pore channel forming glycoproteins, are expressed in a wide variety of tissues including the skin, bone, and cochlea. To date, the use of single knock-out mouse models of both Panx1 and Panx3 have demonstrated their roles in skin development, bone formation, and auditory phenotypes. Due to sequence homology between Panx1 and Panx3, when one Panx is ablated from germline, the other may be upregulated in a compensatory mechanism to maintain tissue homeostasis and function. To evaluate the roles of Panx1 and Panx3 in the skin, bone, and cochlea, we created the first Panx1/Panx3 double knock-out mouse model (dKO). These mice had smaller litters and reduced body weight compared to wildtype controls. The dKO dorsal skin had decreased epidermal and dermal area as well as decreased hypodermal area in neonatal but not in older mice. In addition, mouse skull shape and size were altered, and long bone length was decreased in neonatal dKO mice. Finally, auditory tests revealed that dKO mice did not exhibit hearing loss and were even slightly protected against noise-induced hearing damage at mid-frequency regions. Taken together, our findings suggest that Panx1 and Panx3 are important at early stages of development in the skin and bone but may be redundant in the auditory system. KEY MESSAGES: Panx double KO mice had smaller litters and reduced body weight. dKO skin had decreased epidermal and dermal area in neonatal mice. Skull shape and size changed plus long bone length decreased in neonatal dKO mice. dKO had no hearing loss and were slightly protected against noise-induced damage.

Modifications of Surgical Suction Tip Geometry for Flow Optimisation: Influence on Suction-Induced Noise Pollution.

Introduction Suction devices for clearing the surgical field are among the most commonly used tools of every surgeon because a better view of the surgical field is essential. Forced suction may produce disturbingly loud noise, which acts as a nonnegligible stressor. Especially, in emergency situations with heavy bleeding, this loud noise has been described as an impeding factor in the medical decision-making process. In addition, there are reports of inner ear damage in patients due to suction noises during operations in the head area. These problems have not been solved yet. The purpose of this study was to analyse flow-dependent suction noise effects of different surgical suction tips. Furthermore, we developed design improvements to these devices. Methods We compared five different geometries of suction tips using an in vitro standardised setup. Two commercially available standard suction tips were compared to three adapted new devices regarding their flow-dependent (10–2000 mL/min) noise emission (dB, weighting filter (A), distance 10 cm) and acoustic quality of resulting noises (Hamilton fast Fourier analysis) during active suction at the liquid-air boundary. Noise maps at different flow rates were created for all five suction devices, and the proportion of extracted air was measured. The geometries of the three custom-made suction tips (new models 1, 2, and 3) were designed considering the insights after determining the key characteristics of the two standard suction models. Results The geometry of a suction device tip has significant impact on its noise emission. For the standard models, the frequency spectrum at higher flow rates significantly changes to high-frequency noise patterns (>3 kHz). A number of small side holes designed to prevent tissue adhesion lead to increased levels of high-frequency noise. Due to modifications of the tip geometry in our new models, we are able to achieve a highly significant reduction of noise level at low flow rates (new model 2 vs. standard models p < 0.001) and also the acoustic quality improved. Additionally, we attain a highly significant reduction of secondary air intake (new model 2 vs. the other models p < 0.001). Conclusion Improving flow-relevant features of the geometry of suction heads is a suitable way to reduce noise emissions. Optimized suction tips are significantly quieter. This may help us to reduce noise-induced hearing damage in patients as well as stress of medical staff during surgery and should lead to quieter operation theatres overall. Furthermore, the turbulence reduction and reduced secondary air intake during the suction process are expected to result in protective effects on the collected blood and thus could improve the quality of autologous blood retransfusions. We are on the way to evaluate potential benefits.

Macrophage recruitment, but not interleukin 1 beta activation, enhances noise-induced hearing damage

It has been suggested that macrophages or inflammatory monocytes participate in the pathology of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), but it is unclear how extensively these cells contribute to the development of temporary and/or permanent NIHL. To address this question, we used clodronate liposomes to deplete macrophages and monocytes. After clodronate liposome injection, mice were exposed to 4-kHz octave band noise at 121 dB for 4 h. Compared to vehicle-injected controls, clodronate-treated mice exhibited significantly reduced permanent threshold shifts at 4 and 8 kHz and significantly smaller outer hair cell losses in the lower-apical cochlear turn. Following noise exposure, the stria vascularis had significantly more cells expressing the macrophage-specific protein F4/80, and this effect was significantly suppressed by clodronate treatment. These F4/80-positive cells expressed interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), which noise exposure activated. However, IL-1β deficient mice did not exhibit significant resistance to intense noise when compared to wild-type mice.These findings suggest that macrophages that enter the cochlea after noise exposure are involved in NIHL, whereas IL-1β inhibition does not reverse this cochlear damage. Therefore, macrophages may be a promising therapeutic target in human sensorineural hearing losses such as NIHL.

CDC Research on Non-Occupational NIHL

Figure: iStock/RapidEyeThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has conducted more than 40 years of research, providing guidelines to help reduce risks of noise-induced hearing loss in the workplace. In 2015, CDC received public and medical community inquiries on the topic of hearing loss related to noise in non-occupational settings. In 2016, the National Academies of Sciences report, “Hearing Health Care for Adults: Priorities for Improving Access and Affordability,” included a call to action for government agencies to strengthen efforts to collect, analyze, and disseminate population-based data on hearing loss in adults. In response to the information gap about the effect of noise in homes and communities, CDC instigated research efforts and participated in activities to raise awareness that excessive exposure to loud sounds outside of the working environment can cause permanent hearing damage, which can occur any time in life. Noise-induced hearing loss is a preventable health condition that can be avoided by using relatively easy measures.Figure: Yulia Carroll, MD, PhDIn 2014, data collected through CDC's National Health Interview Survey indicated 15 percent of American adults, aged 18 and over, reported some degree of trouble with hearing—about as much as the prevalence reported for both diabetes and cancer combined (Vital Health Stat 10. 2014;260:1 http://bit.ly/2lZlMX0). Hearing test results of 3,583 people (age 20-69), which were part of CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during 2011 and 2012, revealed measurable hearing damage in one or both ears, suggestive of noise exposure in 24 percent of adults. Nearly 50 percent with this damage had reportedly not been exposed to loud noise at work (MMWR. 2017;66[5]:139 http://bit.ly/2lZxpNr). This suggests about 21 million American adults have hearing damage indicative of noise exposure that probably results from every day activities at home and in the community. About one in five young adults in their 20’s already exhibited this type of hearing damage, and one in four adults, apparently unaware of the damage, reported that their hearing was excellent or good.Figure: John Eichwald, MAMany people may not recognize that loud noise from common activities, such as mowing the lawn or attending sporting events, can be as loud as the noise found in the workplace and is enough to damage hearing. As such, it is important to raise public awareness that the louder the noise and the longer the exposure, the more likely hearing damage will occur. Getting out preventive messages may be helpful. These messages include: avoiding or minimizing exposure to noisy environments whenever possible, using hearing protective devices like earplugs, and keeping the volume down. Health care providers can help their patients slow the progression of hearing loss from noise exposure. CDC encourages physicians and other clinicians to ask about loud noise exposure and hearing acuity as part of routine care and to refer their patients to hearing health professionals whenever there is a concern. At routine health care visits, providers can also explain how noise exposure can permanently damage hearing and teach patients how to protect their hearing (Vital Signs, 2017 http://bit.ly/2lZtTD3). There are no federal guidelines on safe noise exposures. Because noise-induced hearing damage accumulates over time, there is a need for future research about noise exposure and prevention at younger ages. CDC is working with various organizations and continues to analyze national data to prioritize public health needs.

Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Leisure Noise-Induced Hearing Damage in Flemish Young Adults.

Context:Young people regularly expose themselves to leisure noise and are at risk for acquiring hearing damage.Aims:The objective of this study was to compare young adults’ hearing status in relation to sociodemographic variables, leisure noise exposure and attitudes and beliefs towards noise.Settings and Design:A self-administered questionnaire regarding hearing, the amount of leisure noise exposure and attitudes towards noise and hearing protection as well as an audiological test battery were completed. Five hundred and seventeen subjects between 18 and 30 years were included.Subject and Methods:Hearing was evaluated using conventional audiometry, transient evoked and distortion product otoacoustic emissions. On the basis of their hearing status, participants were categorised into normal hearing, sub-clinical or clinical hearing loss.Statistical Analysis Used:Independent samples t-tests, chi-square tests and multiple regression models were used to evaluate the relation between groups based on hearing status, sociodemographics, leisure noise and attitudes towards noise.Results:Age was significantly related to hearing status. Although, the subjects in this study frequently participated in leisure activities, no significant associations between leisure noise exposure and hearing status could be detected. No relation with subjects’ attitudes or the use of hearing protection devices was found.Conclusions:This study could not demonstrate clinically significant leisure noise-induced hearing damage, which may lead to more non-protective behaviour. However, the effects of leisure noise may become noticeable over a long-term use since age was found to be related with sub-clinical hearing loss. Longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of noise exposure.

The efficacy of sound regulations on the listening levels of pop concerts

ABSTRACTThis analysis of new and previously collected data was done to validate the efficacy of recommendations for limits regarding sound exposure levels at live pop concerts. After the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limiting the sound levels at such concerts to avoid noise induced hearing damage among the audience, the actual levels at concerts where these recommendations are observed, have stabilized around 100 dBA. This is a level that is considered acceptable by WHO. At concerts where there are no limitations, however, the sound levels in the audience area are still increasing far beyond safe limits and thus the exposure may represent a serious threat to people's hearing.

Mechanical rock grinding in the Mississippi River: anthropogenic noise production and implications for the federally endangered pallid sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus albus (Forbes &amp; Richardson, 1905)

Summary The use of mechanical rock grinding to remove rock pinnacles and outcroppings, considered to be navigation hazards in the Mississippi River, was evaluated as a less damaging alternative when compared to the more conventional use of drilling and blasting. The project area contains the federally endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) and there was concern that intense sound pressure levels (SPLs) could impact the species. SPLs were measured during production rock grinding (January 2012, just north of Thebes, Illinois) and compared to those values with SPLs known to cause fish mortality, hearing damage, temporary hearing threshold shifts (TTS), and stress. The source SPLs’ maxima for each time block analyzed ranged from 160–172 dB (re 1 μPa @ 1 m) at frequencies ranging from 100–1250 Hz (1/3-octave band). The highest source SPL maximum recorded for the sound recording session was 172 dB (re 1 μPa @ 1 m) at 1250 Hz. These SPL levels at 1 m from the grinder were well below levels responsible for mortality or noise induced hearing damage. The impact zone for stress (increases in cortisol) was calculated to be within a 9 m radius of the grinder, while the impact zone for TTS was calculated to be within 31 m of the grinder. Considering the small impact zones and continuous noise production during grinding, there is a strong possibility that sturgeon would either avoid or move out of the impact zone.

Using prophylactic antioxidants to prevent noise-induced hearing damage in young adults: a protocol for a double-blind, randomized controlled trial

BackgroundDuring leisure activities young people are often exposed to excessive noise levels resulting in an increase of noise-induced symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus and hyperacusis. Noise-induced tinnitus is often perceived after loud music exposure and provides an important marker for overexposure as a temporary threshold shift that is often not experienced by the individual itself. As oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of noise-induced hearing loss, the use of antioxidants to prevent hearing damage has recently become the subject of research.MethodsThis study proposes a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial to assess the effects of a prophylactic combination of N-acetylcysteine (600 mg) and magnesium (200 mg) prior to leisure noise exposure in young adults. The primary outcome measure is the tinnitus loudness scored by a visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary outcome measures are the differences in audiological measurements for the antioxidant treatments compared to placebo intake. Audiological testing comprising of pure tone audiometry including frequencies up to 16 kHz, distortion product otoacoustic emissions, transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions and speech-in-noise testing will be performed prior to and within 7 hours after noise exposure. By use of a mixed effects statistical model, the effects of antioxidants compared to placebo intake will be assessed.DiscussionAs adolescents and young adults often do not use hearing protection while being exposed to loud music, the use of preventive antioxidant intake may provide a useful and harmless way to prevent noise-induced hearing damage in this population. Furthermore, when exposed to hazardous noise levels the protection provided by hearing protectors might not be sufficient to prevent hearing damage and antioxidants may provide additive otoprotective effects. Previous research mainly focused on occupational noise exposure. The present study provides a protocol to assess the usefulness of antioxidants during leisure noise activities.Trial registrationThe present protocol is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01727492.

Effectiveness of a preventive campaign for noise-induced hearing damage in adolescents

ObjectivesMany studies have documented a high incidence of hearing loss and tinnitus in adolescents after recreational noise exposure. The prevalence of noise-induced symptoms is in contradiction to the low preventive use of hearing protection. The effects of preventive campaigns on the attitudes toward noise in young people are under debate. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether a preventive campaign can alter attitudes toward noise in adolescents and whether this results in an increase of hearing protection use in this population. MethodsA cohort of 547 Flemish high school students, aged 14 to 18 years old, completed a questionnaire prior to and after a governmental campaign focusing on the harmful effects of recreational noise and the preventive use of hearing protection. At both occasions the attitudes toward noise and toward hearing protection were assessed by use of the youth attitudes toward noise scale (YANS) and the beliefs about hearing protection and hearing loss (BAHPHL), respectively. These questionnaires fit into the model of the theory of planned behavior which provides a more clear insight into the prediction of a certain behavior and the factors influencing that behavior. ResultsThe score on the YANS and the BAHPHL decreased significantly (p<0.001) implying a more negative attitude toward noise and a more positive attitude toward hearing protection. The use of hearing protection increased significantly from 3.6% prior to the campaign to 14.3% (p=0.001) post campaign in students familiar with the campaign. ConclusionsMeasurable alteration of all the variables in the theory of planned behavior caused an increase of the intentions to use hearing protection as well as the actual use of hearing protection. The present study shows the usefulness of the theory of planned behavior to change and guide adolescents’ preventive actions toward noise damage. In addition, preventive campaigns can establish attitude and behavioral adjustments. However, the long term effects of preventive campaigns should be investigated in future research.

Current perspectives on children’s auditory perception and consequences of noise exposure effects

Exposure to high sound pressure levels is well known to cause auditory damage, regardless of age. There is however limited knowledge of the effects on hearing due to noise exposure early in life. In addition, no well-established model is used to describe how children perceive and experience their sound environment compared to adults. New studies of children’s hearing have revealed different directivity pattern especially at high frequencies given by the head-related transfer functions due to the anthropometric data of the children and also an ear canal resonance at considerable higher frequencies compared to adults. Recent studies also describe children feeling a great deal of discomfort when exposed to sounds with high frequency characteristics. Children today are exposed to high sound levels from an early age at preschool, school and during leisure time. Few studies have looked at general health effects or hearing in particular. It is being discussed whether age related hearing loss, regarded as an inevitable part of life, to a large extent may be caused by a lifetime of noise exposure starting early in life. This paper will review available studies on noise induced hearing damage among children and give suggestions for future studies within this field.