title: Epidemiology and risk factors for tinnitus after leisure noise exposure in Flemish young adults.
abstract: Young people regularly expose themselves to leisure noise and are at risk of acquiring tinnitus. This study examined the prevalence of leisure noise-induced tinnitus among Flemish young adults as well as the relation with sociodemographic factors, health-related variables and attitudes and beliefs towards noise.
  
  
  
  A self-administered questionnaire was used to evaluate the presence of noise-induced tinnitus, the amount of leisure noise and attitudes towards noise and hearing protection.
  
  
  
  517 subjects between 18 and 30 years were included.
  
  
  
  Temporary and chronic tinnitus occurred in 68.5% and 6.4% of the sample, respectively. Chronic tinnitus was more prevalent in male subjects and associated with more hearing-related symptoms. Furthermore, subjects with chronic tinnitus were more aware of the risks of noise and the importance of hearing protection. Finally, higher levels of leisure noise were independently associated with chronic tinnitus.
  
  
  
  Tinnitus is observed frequently in young adults. Results also indicate that persons with chronic tinnitus were exposed to a higher noise dose during their lives. Longitudinal studies may be useful to evaluate whether the experience of chronic tinnitus has led to behavioural changes. These findings further underpin the importance of educating youth about the risks of leisure noise exposure.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences , Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium.
authors.forename: Sofie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Degeest
authors.affiliation: a Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences , Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium.
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Keppler
authors.affiliation: a Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences , Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium.|c Faculty of Education, Health and Social Work , University College Ghent , Ghent , Belgium.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Corthals
authors.affiliation: b Department of Public health , Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium and.
authors.forename: Els
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Clays
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Prevalence; noise-induced; tinnitus; young adults