Loud Music Listening and the Risk for Tinnitus in Dutch Adolescents: the Moderating Role of Hearing Protection Use

Abstract

In a cross-sectional study of 3601 Dutch adolescents aged 15- to 16-years, music preference, frequent discotheque visiting, portable music player (PMP) listening and loud music listening (LML) were studied in their relationship with the risk for music-induced hearing loss (tinnitus). Furthermore, the moderating role of hearing protection use in these relationships was investigated. Results of logistic regression indicated that the risk for tinnitus is not associated with music preference, however music listening behavior is very important. Adolescents who frequently visit discotheques and adolescents who prefer LML are at higher risk for tinnitus. The expectation was that boys would be at higher risk for tinnitus than girls, but in this study a higher percentage of girls reported tinnitus. Hearing protection use did not buffer the risk for tinnitus in its relationships with discotheque visiting and LML. Adolescents who reported to use hearing protection more often, showed a higher probability for tinnitus. This could indicate that adolescents who use hearing protection, already experience any form of tinnitus. Interventions should focus on the awareness of the risks of LML and the importance of consistently using good quality hearing protection before the first signs of hearing loss appear.