Music Listening Behavior, Health, Hearing and Otoacoustic Emission Levels

Kathleen Hutchinson Marron, Brittany Sproat, Danielle Ross, Sarah Wagner and Helaine Alessio
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Kathleen Hutchinson Marron: Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
Brittany Sproat: MJ Care, Milwaukee, WI 53227, USA
Danielle Ross: Department of Kinesiology and Health, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
Sarah Wagner: Helping Hands Center for Special Needs, Columbus, OH 45056, USA
Helaine Alessio: Department of Kinesiology and Health, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA

IJERPH, 2014, vol. 11, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: This study examined the relationship between hearing levels, otoacoustic emission levels and listening habits related to the use of personal listening devices (PLDs) in adults with varying health-related fitness. Duration of PLD use was estimated and volume level was directly measured. Biomarkers of health-related fitness were co-factored into the analyses. 115 subjects ages 18–84 participated in this study. Subjects were divided into two sub-groups; PLD users and non-PLD users. Both groups completed audiological and health-related fitness tests. Due to the mismatch in the mean age of the PLD user versus the non-PLD user groups, age-adjusted statistics were performed to determine factors that contributed to hearing levels. Age was the most significant predictor of hearing levels across listening and health-related fitness variables. PLD user status did not impact hearing measures, yet PLD users who listened less than 8 hours per week with intensities of less than 80 dBA were found to have better hearing. Other variables found to be associated with hearing levels included: years listening to PLD, number of noise environments and use of ear protection. Finally, a healthy waist-to-hip ratio was a significant predictor of better hearing, while body mass index approached, but did not reach statistical significance.

Keywords: hearing level; otoacoustic emission; cardiovascular health; waist-to-hip ratio; body mass index (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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