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Assessment of Knowledge of Harmful Effects and Exposure to Recreational Music in College Students of Delhi: A Cross Sectional Exploratory Study

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Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Exposure to loud sounds results in a mild to profound degree of temporary or permanent hearing loss. Though occupational noise exposure remains the most commonly identified cause of noise-induced hearing loss, potentially hazardous noise can be encountered during recreational activities. Unfortunately not much attention is being given to the increasing trend of prolonged exposure to noisy environment, in the younger generation of Indians. The purpose of our study was to know the knowledge of college students about the harmful effects of loud music, prevailing practices with regard to exposure to recreational music and the subjective effects that this exposure is causing if any. Cross Sectional survey of College Students (n = 940), from randomly selected colleges of Delhi University. Majority of students listened to music using music-enabled phones; earphones were preferred and 56.6 % participants listened to music on a loud volume. Effects experienced due to loud sound were headache (58 %), inability to concentrate (48 %), and ringing sensation in the ear (41.8 %). Only 2.7 % respondents used ear protection device in loud volume settings. Twenty-three percent respondents complained of transient decreased hearing and other effects after exposure to loud music. 83.8 % knew that loud sound has harmful effect on hearing but still only 2.7 % used protection device. The survey indicates that we need to generate more such epidemiological data and follow up studies on the high risk group; so as to be able to convincingly sensitize the Indian young generation to take care of their hearing and the policy makers to have more information and education campaigns for this preventable cause of deafness.

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Acknowledgments

The research was supported by an Intramural grant from the University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India

    Neelima Gupta & P. P. Singh

  2. Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India

    Arun Sharma

  3. University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India

    Abhishek Goyal & Rahul Sao

  4. A-304, Abhyant Apartments 2, Vasundhara Enclave, Delhi, 110096, India

    Neelima Gupta

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  1. Neelima Gupta
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  2. Arun Sharma
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  5. Rahul Sao
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Correspondence to Neelima Gupta.

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Gupta, N., Sharma, A., Singh, P.P. et al. Assessment of Knowledge of Harmful Effects and Exposure to Recreational Music in College Students of Delhi: A Cross Sectional Exploratory Study. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 66, 254–259 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-013-0671-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-013-0671-5

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