Table 4. Prevalence (%) of self-reported hearing-related symptoms and the association with estimated exposure to potentially hazardous music levels.
| Temporary hearing-related symptoms (N = 856)a | Permanent hearing-related symptoms (N = 943) | |||||
| MP3 players | Discotheques and pop/rock concerts | |||||
| Frequency of hearing symptoms such as tinnitus ‘at least once in the past month’ | Frequency of hearing symptoms such as tinnitus ‘at least once in the past year’ | |||||
| % | ORb (95% CI) | % | ORb (95% CI) | % | ORb (95% CI) | |
| Total study population | 16.0a | 48.7a | 9.2 | |||
| Music exposure | ||||||
| Not at risk – reference (<80 dBAc) | 14.7 | 1.00 | 24.6 | 1.00 | 10.7 | 1.00 |
| Low risk (80–85 dBAc) | 17.0 | 1.25 (0.69–2.25) | 73.2 | 8.84 (6.18–12.63)*** | 9.9 | 0.86 (0.49–1.49) |
| Moderate risk (85–90 dBAc) | 9.7 | 0.62 (0.18–2.09) | 74.2 | 8.69 (5.49–13.76)*** | 10.3 | 0.93 (0.50–1.75) |
| High risk (≥90 dBAc) | 22.3 | 1.70 (1.07–2.70)* | 82.1 | 15.30 (5.62–41.65)*** | 4.4 | 0.39 (0.18–0.86)* |
OR = Odds Ratio; CI = Confidence Interval; dBA = decibels.
a
Participants with reported permanent hearing symptoms excluded (N = 87).
b
Adjusted for age and gender.
c
Equivalent sound level in dBA for 56 hrs per week.
*P<0.05.
***P<0.001.