[A study of hearing and of the auditory habits of youngsters of the city of Sorocaba--São Paulo].
BACKGROUND
currently the exposure to noisy leisure activities are part of the routine of youngsters, representing a considerable risk for hearing.


OBJECTIVE
to study the hearing and the auditory habits of youngsters.


METHODS
75 individuals, with ages ranging from 18 to 25 years, were evaluated using pure tone audiometry and a questionnaire for the verification of their auditory habits.


RESULTS
the audiometric results indicate that 45.3% of the individuals presented some sort of hearing impairment, in the 3 to 6 kHz frequency range. As for the auditory habits, most of the youngsters have the habit of exposing herself/himself to high sound pressure levels, especially collective music.


CONCLUSIONS
It is essential for the health professionals to be enrolled in prevention and hearing conservation programs in order to change attitudes and to establish noise control measures for leisure activities.
Wazen
Sílvia Regina Gottardo
SR
Fonoaudióloga, Mestre em Fonoaudiologa pela Pontificia Universidade Católica de São Paulo. silwaz@uol.com.br
Russo
Ieda Chaves Pacheco
IC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001299:Audiometry; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006309:Hearing; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D009146:Music; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012737:Sex Factors