Excessive smartphone use increases self-reported auditory and vestibular symptoms

Area of Science:

• Health Sciences
• Audiology
• Neurology

Background:

• Widespread smartphone adoption raises concerns about potential adverse health effects.
• Investigating the health impacts of digital device usage is crucial in modern society.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between smartphone usage and self-reported hearing ability.
• To assess the impact of smartphone use on tinnitus, balance, falls, and anxiety levels.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 682 participants categorized into high smartphone use (HSU) and low smartphone use (LSU) groups.
• Utilized validated scales including the Amsterdam inventory for auditory disability and handicap, vertigo, dizziness, imbalance symptom scale, Beck anxiety index, and visual analog scale.

Main Results:

• The HSU group demonstrated significantly poorer outcomes in hearing ability, tinnitus, balance, falling risk, and anxiety compared to the LSU group (p < 0.001).
• Smartphone addiction severity positively correlated with auditory impairment, tinnitus, fall risk, and anxiety, while negatively correlating with balance scores (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• Excessive smartphone use is associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing hearing problems, tinnitus, balance disturbances, falls, and anxiety.
• High levels of smartphone engagement may represent a significant risk factor for these auditory, vestibular, and psychological health issues.