Investigating The Impact Of Listening Habits On Hearing Thresholds

Background: Understanding the Risks of Loud Music Consumption

Today, young people in the UAE, particularly those who frequently use headphones or earbuds, are increasingly susceptible to noise-induced hearing loss. The aim of this study was to explore how young individuals' listening habits, including the use of headphones and earbuds, affect their hearing thresholds. A cohort of 88 participants aged 18 to 25, representing diverse headphone usage patterns, was recruited for the study. Among them, 44 individuals regularly used headphones or earbuds, while the remainder did not. The control group, based in Dubai, was exposed to white noise ranging from 55–65 dB using the Interacoustic AC 40 Hybrid Audiometer. Participants who did not use headphones and reported minimal sound exposure beyond the provided sample were included. Surveys were conducted to assess participants' music listening preferences, including their preferences for wireless and Bluetooth headphones in Dubai. Air conduction hearing thresholds spanning from 125 to 18,000 Hz were evaluated for all participants.

Results: Impact of Listening Habits on Hearing

Comparison of pure tone thresholds between groups revealed significant differences, with the study group, particularly those using headphones in the UAE, exhibiting notably worse thresholds than the control group. Bilateral differences were observed in the 4000 Hz band and for the left ear in the 6000 Hz band (p < 0.05). Additionally, significant disparities were noted between groups in the 14,000 Hz and 16,000 Hz bands in the right ear, and the 14,000 Hz, 16,000 Hz, and 18,000 Hz bands in the left ear (p < 0.05). Notably, a substantial number of participants reported listening to music at varying intensity levels, indicating diverse headphone usage patterns and preferences for earbuds in the UAE.

Conclusion: Implications for Hearing Health

While the hearing thresholds of the study group, especially those using headphones in the UAE, were inferior to those of the control group across several frequency bands, both groups remained within the normal hearing range. However, continuous exposure to loud or very loud music through headphones or earbuds poses a significant risk of hearing deterioration. It is essential to raise awareness, particularly among young individuals in Dubai, about the potential consequences of excessive headphone use on hearing health and the availability of best Bluetooth earphones in the UAE market.