Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses
Published on: January 23, 2017
Audiometric thresholds and portable digital audio player user listening habits
Katya Feder1, Leonora Marro, Stephen E Keith
1Health Canada, Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, Health Effects and Assessment Division, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Objective:
To examine the relationship between portable digital audio player listening behaviours and (1) measured sound pressure levels, (2) audiometric measures, (3) self-reported hearing loss symptoms.
Design:
A questionnaire to evaluate listening behaviours, including self-reported hearing loss symptoms and listening duration/volume settings. Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between these variables, audiometric evaluation, calculated exposure levels, Lex(8hr), and measured sound pressure levels, Leq(32sec).
Study Sample:
This study included 103 males and 134 female subjects aged 10 to 17 years.
Results:
Calculated Lex(8hr) and measured Leq(32sec) levels increased with age and self-reported usage time. Audiometric thresholds averaged over 4 and 8 kHz were higher when usage exceeded five years as compared to less than one year. Higher measured sound pressure levels were associated with worse audiometric thresholds at (0.5, 1, 2 kHz, averaged) and 4 kHz. Self-reported hearing loss symptoms were reported by 33% to 50% of subjects.
Conclusions:
In this cohort sample, our results support a statistical association between hearing acuity and (1) Self-reported weekly usage in hours; (2) Tightness of fit; (3) Years of usage; and (4) Measured sound pressure levels. Generalizing these results beyond the current sample would require additional research.
