title: Music listening behavior, health, hearing and otoacoustic emission levels.
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.
authors: Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA. Hutchik@miamioh.edu.
authors: Kathleen Hutchinson
authors: KH
authors: Marron
authors: MJ Care, Milwaukee, WI 53227, USA. Sproatba@miamioh.edu.
authors: Brittany
authors: B
authors: Sproat
authors: Department of Kinesiology and Health, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA. rossdk@miamioh.edu.
authors: Danielle
authors: D
authors: Ross
authors: Helping Hands Center for Special Needs, Columbus, OH 45056, USA. swags89@gmail.com.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Wagner
authors: Department of Kinesiology and Health, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA. alessih@miamioh.edu.
authors: Helaine
authors: H
authors: Alessio
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004430:Ear Protective Devices; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D055539:MP3-Player; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009146:Music; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous; D055815:Young Adult