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Abstract
Objective
To examine risky leisure noise exposure from listening to music via headphones and to identify potential determinants with special focus on portable listening devices (PLDs) among adolescents over a period of 7.5-years.
Design
Data were collected by questionnaires at four equidistant time points (O1-O4). Music exposure via headphones was calculated based on self-reported volume setting and listening duration. Exceeding 85 dB(A) equivalent for a 40-hour working week was defined as risky noise exposure. Determinants of risky headphone and PLD exposure were investigated using generalised estimating equations and accounting for missing data by multiple imputation.
Study sample
Closed cohort of 2148 students attending 9th grade of any secondary school type in Regensburg (Germany), during 2009 to 2011.
Results
Risky noise exposure from headphone usage was almost twice as high in wave O1 and O2 (at age 15 or 18) compared with 20–23-year-olds in O3 and O4. Risky exposure to headphones and PLDs were associated with younger age, low and medium education, single-parent household and smoking, whereas good self-rated hearing showed a protective effect. Additionally, not being born in Germany was associated with risky PLD exposure.
Conclusion
Before harmful behaviours become entrenched, starting preventive efforts at a young age is essential.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the Statistical Consulting Unit (StaBLab) of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University for statistical advice and all participants.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Data availability statement
Due to the nature of this research, participants of this study did not agree for their data to be shared publicly, so supporting data are not available.