Tinnitus in adolescents and its relation to the use of personal sound systems

Abstract

Introduction: References to recreational exposure to high sound pressure levels (SPL) and the risk of hearing loss and sensation of tinnitus has increased in the adolescent population. Objective: To identify the occurrence of tinnitus in adolescents who use personal sound systems (PSS). Material and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, using a sample of 153 normal-hearing adolescent students. Participants answered a self- administered questionnaire containing open and closed questions, addressing information regarding sound habits with the use of PSS and symptoms associated with this practice. Results: The occurrence of a habit of using PSS was 93%. Comparing the exposed and unexposed groups, the incidence of tinnitus was 40% and 33% respectively, and 22% reported the occurrence of tinnitus induced by the use of PSS. There was no significant difference for the presence of tinnitus depending on the degree of exposure. Conclusion: Although no relation between the use of PSS with tinnitus has been observed, the prevalence of symptoms of up to 40%, including noise-induced episodes, reinforces the possibility of subclinical hearing loss induced by high NPS and, because of the irreversible nature of these losses, the urgency of educational and regulatory measures to reverse these habits and attitudes.