The influence of socio-economic status on adolescent attitude to social noise and hearing protection

The focus of the present study, of 1285 adolescents, was young people's attitudes towards noise and their use of hearing protection at discos and pop concerts. Comparisons were made between adolescents from different age groups, and with different socio-economic status. Logistic regressions indicated that "worry before attending noisy activities" and "hearing symptoms" such as tinnitus and noise sensitivity could, to some degree, explain the use of hearing protection in noisy environments. Another conclusion to be drawn from this study was that adolescents' attitudes and behaviours regarding hearing protection use differed between levels of socio-economic status. Individuals with high SES expressed more negative attitudes and used ear protection to a greater extent than those with lower SES. This result might indicate differences in the development of future auditory problems among individuals with different levels of socio-economic status. The cause of hearing impairment and tinnitus may not be restricted merely to noise exposure. Psychological aspects, such as attitudes towards noisy environments and the individual's behaviour regarding the use of hearing protection may be considered as important factors in the understanding of why the prevalence of hearing related problems has increased among adolescents.     

Gender perspectives in psychometrics related to leisure time noise exposure and use of hearing protection

The purpose of the present study was to investigate possible gender differences regarding psychometric scales measuring risk perception in noisy situations, attitudes towards loud music, perceived susceptibility to noise, and individual norms and ideals related to activities where loud music is played. In addition the purpose was to analyze whether these variables are associated with protective behavior such as the use of hearing protection. A questionnaire was administered to a Swedish sample including 543 adolescents aged 16 to 20. The result revealed significant gender differences for all the psychometric scales. In addition, all psychometric measures were associated with hearing protection use in musical settings. Contrary to previous studies, gender did not contribute to any explanation of protective behavior by itself in the analysis. One conclusion is that although gender does not contribute by itself for the explanation of protective behavior, gender may affect psychological variables such as risk perception, attitudes and perceived susceptibility and that these variables may in turn be valuable for decision-making and protective behavior in noisy situations. Although women tend to be more 'careful' psychologically, they nevertheless tend to behave in the same way as men as regards actual noise-related risk taking.     

Auditory lifestyles and beliefs related to hearing loss among college students in the USA

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the auditory life styles and beliefs of college students with reference to exposure to loud sounds in the context of the health belief model. A survey was administered to 238 (40 men, 198 women) students in the USA. Results suggest that 44% of the students use noisy equipment without ear protection and 29% (69/238) of the students work in noisy environments. Of the 69 who worked in noisy surroundings, only ten reported wearing hearing protection devices although 50 (72.46%) reported tinnitus. The use of hearing protection devices (HPDs) was associated with previous experience with hearing loss and tinnitus. Although 75% of the students were aware that exposure to loud sounds could cause hearing loss, 50% of the students appeared to be exposing themselves to potentially harmful loud music. Furthermore, 46% of the students reported not using HPDs during loud musical activities because they felt that the music was difficult to hear with HPDs. Most students in this study considered hearing loss to be serious but 76% of the students believed that they would not lose their hearing until a greater age. Although 66% of the students had experienced tinnitus, 58% of these students reported not being concerned about it. These results suggest a critical need for promoting healthy hearing behavior among college students. Possible strategies could include improved education, experience with simulated hearing loss for extended periods and availability of cosmetically appealing or invisible HPDs with uniform attenuation across the frequency range.     

Is Electronically Amplified Music too Loud? What do Young People Think?

Listening to loud music has been associated, in a number of studies, with hearing loss and tinnitus among young people. However an unanswered question is whether or not these same young people want to have their music so loud. In our study 533 young men and 167 young women, in the age group 16 to 25, who were attending a vocational training centre, responded to a questionnaire and volunteered to have their hearing assessed. The questionnaire sought information on listening habits, on the kinds of events attended, on whether the music at these events was too loud or not, and if the respondents considered their hearing had been impaired. Analysis of this data indicated that 79% of the subjects attend discotheques, 52% pop and rock concerts, and 35% techno parties (e.g. raves). A significant number considered the music at these venues was too loud. Some 42% considered this was the case at discos, 35% thought pop and rock concerts too loud, and 39% held a similar view of techno parties. Conversely, fewer than 3% considered sound levels at these events to be too low. On the basis of the response to the questionnaire we estimate that over half the respondents (56.6%) have a sound exposure (L(eq)) from music of over 87 dB(A). It is not surprising therefore that 71% reported that they had suffered tinnitus following attendance at a music event. The hearing capacity of the sample was measured by audiometry. These measurements detected hearing loss in 11% of the 700 individuals tested. However it was not possible to show that the risk of hearing loss increased with increasing exposure to loud music. We conclude that young people neither demand nor require the excessive sound levels typical of most music events.     

Teenagers' lifestyle and the risk of exposure to hepatitis B virus

Prevention of lifestyle-related diseases and promotion of physical and mental well-being in adolescents require an understanding of how life situations place adolescents at risk. The most important risk factors for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are sexual activity with more than one partner and injecting drug use. Sexual transmission is particularly important in areas of low endemicity, but is increasingly important in areas of high endemicity as young people adopt a 'Western' lifestyle. HBV infection in general is associated with indicators of sexual activity, e.g. number of sexual partners, years of sexual activity and the occurrence of other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Risk behaviours are often associated: adolescents who have frequent sexual intercourse also drink more alcohol, smoke more cigarettes, use marijuana more often and wear seat-belts less often when driving than adolescents who have little or no sexual activity. Health education and health promotion are important activities aimed at preventing HBV infection, but the major strategy should be providing immunity from infection before risk-taking behaviour. As for other STDs, this is best achieved by universal vaccination of young adolescents or infants or both.     

A study on the effects of discotheque noise on the hearing of young patrons

This study aims to find out whether discotheque music affects hearing by exposing 48 young volunteers to discotheque music in discotheque sessions at two discotheques and evaluating their degree of auditory fatigue after exposure. Questionnaire interviews revealed that the majority of them visit discotheques regularly. A higher proportion of those attending the louder discotheque found the music too loud. The prevalence of tinnitus is also higher in those attending the noisier discotheque. The degree of threshold shifts, however, does not appear to be related to the volume of music or auditory fatigue. The noise level exposure was estimated to be 91 dBA to 98 dBA for weekly exposure and 85 dBA to 92 dBA for monthly exposure. To avoid hearing loss, patrons should avoid loud discotheques, or cut down their frequency of visits if they choose to continue patronising them.     

Self-reported tinnitus and noise sensitivity among adolescents in Sweden

It seems to be a common opinion among researchers within the field of audiology that the prevalence of tinnitus will increase as a consequence of environmental factors, for example exposure to loud noise. Young people are exposed to loud sounds, more than any other age group, especially during leisure time activities, i.e. at pop concerts, discotheques and gyms. A crucial factor for the prevention of hearing impairments and hearing-related symptoms in the young population is the use of hearing protection. The focus of the present study is use of hearing protection and self-reported hearing-related symptoms, such as tinnitus and noise sensitivity in a young population of high-school students (N=1285), aged 13 to 19 years. The results show that the prevalence of permanent tinnitus and noise sensitivity, reported in the total group, was 8.7% and 17.1% respectively. Permanent tinnitus was not significantly related to level of socio-economic status, but age-related differences in the prevalence rates of experienced tinnitus and noise sensitivity were found to be significant. Older students reported such symptoms to a greater extent than younger students did. Those who reported tinnitus and other hearing-related symptoms protected their hearing to the highest extent and were the ones most worried.     

Exposure to loud noise and risk of acoustic neuroma

Exposure to occupational loud noise has been previously identified as a possible risk factor for acoustic neuroma in only one relatively small (n = 86 cases) case-control study of men. The goal of the present study was to further examine the role of loud noise in acoustic neuroma etiology. In their population-based case-control study of both sexes conducted from 1999 to 2002 in Sweden, the authors compared reports on type and duration of occupational and nonoccupational loud noise exposure of 146 acoustic neuroma cases and 564 controls. Controls were randomly selected from the study base and were frequency matched on age, sex, and residential area. The authors found that individuals reporting loud noise exposure from any source were at increased risk for acoustic neuroma (odds ratio (OR) = 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 2.30). Exposure to loud noise from machines, power tools, and/or construction increased the risk for acoustic neuroma (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.11, 2.89), as did exposure to loud music (OR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.20, 4.23). The odds ratio for a latency period of 13 or more years since the first loud noise exposure from any source was 2.12 (95% CI: 1.40, 3.20). The findings of an increased risk of acoustic neuroma with loud noise exposure support previous research.     

Ear damage caused by leisure noise

Noise is a health risk. Recent findings suggest that leisure noise is a substantial danger especially to children, teenagers and young adults. Epidemiological studies of teenagers with no occupational noise exposure show an increasing number with a substantial and measurable irreversible inner ear damage. This is basically due to the wide spread exposition to very loud toys (pistols and squibs), crackers and exposure to electronically amplified music, e.g. from personal cassette players (PCP), at discos or concerts etc. Protection against irreversible ear damage by leisure noise has an important impact in preventive medical care. Therefore the general public must be informed that loud leisure activities may cause damage to the ear. In order to protect children, young people and adults, the legislature ought to set limits for sound levels in discos, concert halls and for music equipment and toys by establishing the necessary standards and regulations.     

Noise and hearing loss: a review

BACKGROUND: Noise-induced hearing loss is a major cause of deafness and hearing impairment in the United States. Though genetics and advanced age are major risk factors, temporary and permanent hearing impairments are becoming more common among young adults and children especially with the increased exposure to portable music players. Though treatment options are limited for most people with noise-related hearing loss, several modifiable health behaviors that should begin in childhood might prevent or delay the onset of hearing impairment. The purpose of this article is to review modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors, comorbidity, and the role of health education in the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss. METHODS: Review of current literature in the etiology, prevention, and treatment of noise-induced hearing loss as well as the role of health education. RESULTS: Non-modifiable risk factors related to noise-related hearing loss include increasing age, genetics, male gender, and race. Modifiable risk factors are voluntary exposure to loud noise, nonuse of hearing protection, smoking, lack of exercise, poor diet, tooth loss, and the presence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSIONS: As hearing impairment among children and teenagers rises due to mostly voluntary exposure to loud noise, there are many implications for health education. Health educators need to address barriers to the use of hearing protection, deliberate exposure to loud music, and other modifiable risk factors, which cause and exacerbate hearing loss among those exposed to loud noise.     

Risikoverhaltensmuster und Aspekte des Autoritarismus: Ergebnisse einer empirischen Studie an 20-j?hrigen M?nnern

Summary. Patterns of risk behaviours and aspects of authoritarianism: results of an empirical study in young men Objectives: As possible explanations for risk behaviour in young men past strains, lack of resources, social individualisation processes and genderspecific aspects are discussed. For this study the concept of authoritarianism was used as the model for analysis. Methods: 4235 recruits from the German-speaking part of Switzerland were surveyed with regard to risk behaviours in sexuality, alcohol consumption, suicide tendency, and violence. The predicting variables for non-risk behaviours and for different risk behaviour patterns were identified by means of logistic regression analysis. The main predicting variables included authoritarianism, disposition to discriminate, stressful life events, and personal and social resources. Results: The results show that the different aspects of authoritarianism not only influence prejudice and aggression towards dissenters as has been shown in other studies, but risk behaviours in general. Between the aspects of authoritarianism and risk behaviour patterns positive as well as negative correlations were found. Conclusion: We conclude that there are different types of authoritarian men who differ with regard to risk behaviours.     

Influence of noise on gustatory affective ratings and preference for sweet or salt

Ten adult men were exposed to four different conditions of noise--low noise (70 dB), loud noise (90 dB), loud music (90 dB) and a silence control--while they tasted sweet or salty solutions. In the first experiment, they rated the pleasure/displeasure aroused by ten gustatory stimuli (five sucrose and five sodium chloride from 0.15 to 2.35 M/l). The median affective rating for sucrose was significantly higher in loud noise and with loud music. No change was observed for salt. In the second experiment, the subjects were invited to mix solutions in order to obtain the most pleasant concentration of sucrose or sodium chloride. Subjects' preferred concentrations of sucrose or sodium chloride did not vary with auditory conditions.     

Surveillance of STI risk behaviour among young people attending a music festival in Australia, 2005–08

Objective: To explain rising rates of sexually transmitted infections it is necessary to monitor trends among high risk groups, such as youth. Surveillance of risk behaviours and testing among a variety of populations in different settings is required. We monitored self-reported sexual behaviour among music festival attendees.
Methods: Cross-sectional studies of young people's behaviour were conducted annually at a music festival between 2005 and 2008 using self-administered questionnaires. Logistic regression, adjusted for age and gender, determined trends in risk behaviours.
Results: More than 5,000 questionnaires were completed. The proportion reporting multiple sexual partners in the past year remained stable from 2005 to 2008 and condom use with these partners increased. Reporting a new sexual partner in the past three months decreased, while condom use with new partners increased. Reporting a casual sexual partner increased and condom use with casual partners remained stable. Reporting a recent STI test increased from 23% in 2006 to 32% in 2008.
Conclusions and Implications: Despite increases in STI notifications, most risk behaviours are decreasing in this group, possibly as a function of increased STI testing. Music festivals are a useful setting for monitoring behaviour trends within a sub-population of young people at relatively high risk of STIs.     

H?rst du noch oder pfeift es schon?

Alarming reports have been published about hearing loss in adolescents, and increasing leisure time noise exposure has been blamed. If the exposure limits from the Noise at Work Regulations are applied, discotheque music as well as music from portable music players are associated with the risk of hearing loss. The empirical evidence for this association, however, is not sufficient. Not even an increase in the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss among adolescents can be documented. OHRKAN is a prospective cohort study aimed to produce information on the prevalence of hearing loss as well as its risk factors in adolescents. Currently, a total of 2,240 pupils in grade 9?at schools in the city of Regensburg, Germany, have been recruited. Data on noise exposure were collected using standardized questionnaires. In addition, hearing status was assessed by medical examination including tympanometry, audiometry, and distortion-product otoacoustic emissions. Developments in noise exposure as well as hearing status will be assessed in follow-up data collections. Independent of this empirical assessment preventive measures are already needed now to reduce the risk of hearing loss in adolescents and young adults.     

Occupational exposure to noise and the attributable burden of hearing difficulties in Great Britain

Aims: To determine the prevalence of self reported hearing difficulties and tinnitus in working aged people from the general population, and to estimate the risks from occupational exposure to noise and the number of attributable cases nationally.

Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to 22 194 adults of working age selected at random from the age–sex registers of 34 British general practices (21 201 subjects) and from the central pay records of the British armed services (993 subjects). Information was collected on years of employment in a noisy job; and whether the respondent wore a hearing aid, had difficulty in hearing conversation, or had experienced persistent tinnitus over the past year. Associations of hearing difficulty and tinnitus with noise exposure were examined by logistic regression, with adjustment for age, sex, smoking habits, and frequent complaints of headaches, tiredness, or stress. The findings were expressed as prevalence ratios (PRs) with associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Attributable numbers were calculated from the relevant PRs and an estimate of the prevalence of occupational exposure to noise nationally.

Results: Some 2% of subjects reported severe hearing difficulties (wearing a hearing aid or having great difficulty in both ears in hearing conversation in a quiet room). In men, the prevalence of this outcome rose steeply with age, from below 1% in those aged 16–24 years to 8% in those aged 55–64. The pattern was similar in women, but severe hearing loss was only about half as prevalent in the oldest age band. Tinnitus was far more common in subjects with hearing difficulties. In both sexes, after adjustment for age, the risk of severe hearing difficulty and persistent tinnitus rose with years spent in a noisy job. In men older than 35 years with 10 or more years of exposure, the PR for severe hearing difficulty was 3.8 (95% CI 2.4 to 6.2) and that for persistent tinnitus 2.6 (95% CI 2.0 to 3.4) in comparison with those who had never had a noisy job. Nationally, some 153 000 men and 26 000 women aged 35–64 years were estimated to have severe hearing difficulties attributable to noise at work. For persistent tinnitus the corresponding numbers were 266 000 and 84 000.

Conclusions: Significant hearing difficulties and tinnitus are quite common in men from the older working age range. Both are strongly associated with years spent in a noisy occupation—a predominantly male exposure. The national burden of hearing difficulties attributable to noise at work is substantial.

     

Young women's education and behavioural risk trajectories: clarifying their association with unintended-pregnancy resolution

In the USA, most pregnancies occurring to teenage women are unplanned, making both the decisions regarding their resolution and the consequences of those decisions important topics of inquiry. Substantial debate surrounds the potential consequences for young women of either carrying an unintended pregnancy to term or voluntarily terminating it. The present study utilises data from The US National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health prospectively to examine the predictors of pregnancy resolution decisions in terms of young women's educational goals and their engagement in risk behaviours. Additionally, the long-term consequences of these decisions for education and risk-taking behaviours are identified. Results indicate that young women with strong educational goals have a greater likelihood of terminating an unintended pregnancy than those with low aspirations, and that pregnancy termination predicts higher educational attainment compared to motherhood. Risk behaviours did not predict pregnancy-resolution decisions, but young women who became mothers reported lower rates of subsequent substance use and fewer sexual partners post-pregnancy than those who terminated the pregnancy or who had never been pregnant. Motherhood appears to be a catalyst for lifestyle change among young women, limiting substance use and sexual partnering, in contrast to abortion, which appears to allow adolescents to continue risk-taking trajectories.     

Traditional male circumcision for reducing the risk of HIV infection: perspectives of young people in South Africa

Increasing evidence suggests that medical male circumcision is associated with a reduced risk of HIV infection for men in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to understand the importance of male circumcision as a risk-reducing strategy by exploring perceptions of young men and women. The study draws on focus-group discussions conducted with both men and women in South Africa. The findings suggest that there is widespread support for traditional male circumcision. Traditional circumcision is viewed as a key part of the initiation process. However, a number of concerns were raised about the traditional initiation process, which may lead to risky sexual behaviours, including early sexual debut and multiple sexual partners. In addition, the risky sexual behaviour of men puts women at risk of HIV infection.     

Thrills and spills: Young people's sexual behaviour andattitudes in seaside and rural areas

This paper reports on a qualitative study which explored attitudes to sexual risk-taking among young people in rural and seaside areas in England. The research was undertaken in three sites, each comprising a seaside resort and its rural hinterland. Data were collected through group discussions with 341 young people in secondary schools in England and through individual interviews with young people outside school settings, with young parents and with professionals working in the field of sexual health and education. Data analysis adopted a grounded theory approach and incorporated the views of local young people's advisory groups. Key features of the study which appeared specific to the locales studied were the influence of the seaside entertainment industry on young people's sexual behaviour and the high visibility experienced by young people in rural areas. Gender was also identified as playing a crucial role in determining perceptions of risk and influencing behaviour. Sexual health services and health promotion strategies need to acknowledge the relevance of factors such as gender and stigma for young people as well as being responsive to the specific features of local contexts.     

Sex, drugs and chronic illness: health behaviours among chronically ill youth

BACKGROUND: A growing body of literature indicates that adolescents with chronic conditions are as likely, or more likely, to take risky behaviours than their healthy peers. The objective of this research was to assess whether adolescents with chronic illness in Catalonia differ from their healthy peers in risk-taking behaviour. METHODS: Data were drawn from the Catalonia Adolescent Health database, a survey including a random school-based sample of 6952 young people, aged 14-19 years. The index group (IG) included 665 adolescents (450 females) reporting several chronic conditions. The comparison group (CG) comprised 6287 healthy adolescents (3306 females). Personal, family and school-related variables were analysed to ensure comparability between groups. Sexual behaviour, drug use (tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine and synthetic drugs) and perception of drug use among peers and in school were compared. Analysis was carried out separately by gender. chi-square, Fisher's and Student's tests were used to compare categorical and continuous variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of chronic conditions was 9.6%, with females showing a higher prevalence than males. The IG showed similar or higher rates of sexual intercourse and risky sexual behaviour. For most studied drugs, IG males reported slightly lower rates of use than CG males, while IG females showed higher rates for every drug studied. No differences were found in the perceptions of drug use among peers or in their school. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to previous research, chronically ill adolescents in our sample are as likely, or more likely, to take risky behaviours than their healthy counterparts and should receive the same anticipatory guidance.