An Exploratory Study of Peripheral Vestibular System in Users of Personal Listening Devices

The widespread use of mobile phones and personal listening devices (PLDs) poses potential health risks, particularly noise-induced hearing loss. Among younger generations, high-volume PLD use is associated with auditory and vestibular system changes. Clinical vestibular testing, including vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) and the video head impulse test (vHIT), may reveal peripheral vestibular impacts from prolonged PLD exposure at volumes over 60%. This study examines VEMP and vHIT results in individuals with normal hearing who have had extended high-volume PLD exposure. Subjects and.

A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on individuals aged 15-24 years. All the participants had normal pure tone thresholds with "A" type tympanogram, present acoustic reflexes, and history of PLD usage. Participants were divided into groups according to PLD exposure of <1 year (group A), 1.1-2 years (group B), 2.1-3 years (group C), and 3.1-4 years (group D). The output sound pressure level (dB SPL) near the tympanic membrane was measured. Furthermore, cervical VEMP, ocular VEMP, and vHIT were assessed.

The VEMP and vHIT findings were statistically analyzed and compared across groups. The peak-to-peak amplitudes of VEMP showed a statistically significant difference between groups A and D.

Potential subclinical damage to the otolith organs can be associated with increased PLD exposure. No damage to the semi-circular canals was observed as the participants used lower dBA values by the PLDs.