UP study could help cut risk of hearing loss caused by personal audio systems

INNOVATIVE research under way could change the lives of millions of people by reducing the risk of hearing loss caused by personal audio systems.

In the first study of its kind, researchers at the University of Pretoria (UP) have made headway in understanding the accuracy and reliability of sound-level monitoring earphones and the effect of smartphone feedback as an intervention to encourage safe listening use among young people.

“This is an applied solution to the real-world problem of hearing loss for more than a billion young people at risk,” said Professor De Wet Swanepoel of UP’s Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, who led the study.

The study was published in the peer-reviewed journal Ear and Hearing.

More than a billion adolescents and young people are estimated to be at risk of acquiring recreational noise-induced hearing loss (RNIHL) because of the unsafe use of personal audio systems.

RNIHL is preventable, and the research offers an important intervention to promote healthy listening behaviour.

Swanepoel offered the following tips to protect your ears:

• Listen to personal audio devices at a volume level below 60% of the maximum volume. Use carefully fitted and noise-cancelling headphones if possible;

• Wear earplugs in noisy venues. Move away from sources of loud sound, such as loudspeakers;

• Take short listening breaks away from loud sounds. Limit the daily use of personal audio devices;

• Use smartphone apps and earphones like dbTrack to monitor your sound exposure. Choose devices with built-in safe-listening features.

The research team had two objectives.

“Firstly, we needed to determine how accurate the in-ear sound-monitoring feature was compared to laboratory equipment,” said Swanepoel.

“We recorded sound intensity levels over time in the ears of participants, then recorded the same intensity levels in standard laboratory equipment.

“We also did test-retest checks in both conditions.

“Results demonstrated that the in-ear monitoring feature was very accurate and reliable within 1dB.

“Secondly, we wanted to evaluate whether the dbTrack technology and app-based feedback changed listening behaviours when used by listeners.

“We enrolled participants who were regular users of personal audio devices.

“They received the dbTrack earphones and app,” said Swanepoel.

“The research app was set to show no monitoring feedback for the first two weeks of the study as a control condition.

“After two weeks, the app switched to provide feedback and notifications on their sound exposure. Results demonstrated significantly safer levels and durations of listening when the app feedback was active.”