ASSESSMENT OF HEARING THRESHOLDS IN MEDICAL STUDENTS BASED ON GENDER AND USE OF HEADPHONES.

The sounds we are exposed to everyday are usually at a safe level and do not affect our hearing. However, development of latest technology and frequent use of headphones has increased the proximity of sound to the ear. Adolescents and young adults who are commonly exposed to loud music/noise are at a greater risk of developing hearing impairment. Hence the adverse effects of chronic exposure to loud sounds need to be assessed. Objectives: To determine hearing thresholds in students (Males/Females) at various frequencies and the changes in hearing thresholds associated with prolonged exposure (>90mins) to sound. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in 148 first year MBBS students. Materials used - ALPS Advanced Digital Audiometer AD2100, bone oscillator and headphones. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 22.0 with p<0.05 as significant. Results: 1) Males have lower hearing thresholds than females except at higher frequencies where females have equal or better hearing thresholds than males. 2) The mean exposure to headphones was 115.432±92.1348 mins. Subjects with >90mins exposure had better hearing thresholds at lower frequencies but at higher frequencies showed increase in hearing thresholds. Conclusion: Lower hearing thresholds in females at higher frequencies could be evolutionary as females are more sensitive to high pitch sounds like baby’s cry. Prolonged exposure to loud sound damages hair cells at base of cochlea responsible for picking up high frequency sounds. Keywords: Hearing thresholds, noise, adolescents.