Music exposure and hearing health education: A review of knowledge, attitude, and behaviour in adolescents and young adults

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescents and young adults have been shown to be the age group most at risk of music-induced hearing loss (MIHL), which is already evident and increasing among this group. Objective: The purpose of this review is to provide further insight into the effectiveness of education programmes on attitude and behaviour towards loud music exposure in adolescents and young adults, and to suggest positive and influential ways of delivering hearing health education. Methods: Literature searches were conducted using various databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). Authors went through the abstracts of these articles to identify those which were potentially relevant; subsequently the full articles were retrieved. Results: This review highlights the dangers of significant exposure to music on hearing mechanics in adolescents and young adults, and shows that this danger continues to increase with modern music culture. Because the consequences are not immediate, it is difficult for the young to perceive the seriousness of a problem that may not present itself for many years. Conventional education may go a little way in helping to raise awareness but a raised awareness of consequences does not, in itself, change behaviour. There is a significant gap in literature regarding effective methods of education that will inspire attitude change, and have a bearing on actions. Conclusion: This review has concluded that there is a lack of understanding of how to best influence and educate adolescents and young adults in a way that will motivate and encourage a change in listening habits. It is of vital importance that these groups are made aware of the immediate and future dangers, and how changes in listening behaviour do not necessarily lower their enjoyment.

Impact of Educational Program About Earphones Hazards and Healthy Hearing on Knowledge, Perception and Practices of Students in Zagazig University

“…Even so, it seems that raising awareness alone is not sufficient for changing the attitude and performance in this age group. (37) Results of these study incongruent with this point of view in which there was a marked reduced in participant's health problems associated with using headphone post implementation of educational program with highly statistically significant difference . On the other hand, these results compatible with some studies had done on using earphones by students for longer time and reported some hearing problems.…”

Prevalence and Pattern of Using Headphones and Its Relationship with Hearing Loss among Students

“…In addition, as the prevalence of temporary or permanent tinnitus, as well as hearing loss, is relatively high among adolescents and youth (2,14,17), it is critical to implement environmental interventions and training programs to raise the awareness about this issues among these populations (18). Nonetheless, it seems that raising awareness alone is not sufficient for changing the attitude and performance in this age group (19). The descriptive statistics of the survey responses show that 27% of the students listened to loud or very loud music.…”

Social Representation of “Loud Music” in Young Adults: A Cross-Cultural Study

“…It is suggested that there may be culturally related differences in the way that people interpret situations related to health issues. More specifically, research suggests that there are cultural differences in the perceptions of music exposure, and that these perceptions may be linked to attitudes toward hearing loss and its related consequences (for a review, see Zhao et al, 2012). On a different note, knowledge of risk does not necessarily result in healthy listening behavior at the individual level (Kotowski et al, 2011).…”

“…Since then, there have been several studies of education programs relating to leisure noise (e.g., loud music, fireworks, toys) indicating varying degrees of success. Studies suggest that knowledge about risk of hearing loss as a result of loud noise or music does not lead to healthy listening behavior (for a review, see Zhao et al, 2012). For example, Kotowski et al (2011) evaluated the effectiveness of education provided through brochures to reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing loss in college students.…”