Great concern arises from recreational noise exposure, which might lead to noise-induced hearing loss in young adults. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of recreational noise exposure on hearing function in young adults. A questionnaire concerning recreational noise exposures and an audiological test battery were completed by 163 subjects (aged 18-30 years). Based on the duration of exposure and self-estimated loudness of various leisure-time activities, the weekly and lifetime equivalent noise exposure were calculated. Subjects were categorized in groups with low, intermediate, and high recreational noise exposure based on these values. Hearing was evaluated using audiometry, transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs), and distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). Mean differences in hearing between groups with low, intermediate, and high recreational noise exposure were evaluated using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). There were no significant differences in hearing thresholds, TEOAE amplitudes, and DPOAE amplitudes between groups with low, intermediate, or high recreational noise exposure. Nevertheless, one-third of our subjects exceeded the weekly equivalent noise exposure for all activities of 75 dBA. Further, the highest equivalent sound pressure levels (SPLs) were calculated for the activities visiting nightclubs or pubs, attending concerts or festivals, and playing in a band or orchestra. Moreover, temporary tinnitus after recreational noise exposure was found in 86% of our subjects. There were no significant differences in hearing between groups with low, intermediate, and high recreational noise exposure. Nevertheless, a long-term assessment of young adults' hearing in relation to recreational noise exposure is needed.

Age-related anatomical and morphologic vestibular deterioration has already been elaborated. Demonstrating a corresponding degradation in physiologic function, however, entails a much higher challenge. The objective of this study was to investigate age-related changes using rotational tests, caloric tests, and the vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) test. Eighty healthy human subjects (38 men and 42 women) ranging in age from 18 to 80 yrs participated in this study and were subjected to an extensive vestibular test battery. Function tests included sinusoidal harmonic acceleration tests, a pseudorandom rotation test, velocity step tests, a caloric test, and a VEMP test. No significant age trends were noted for the sinusoidal harmonic acceleration test and velocity step tests response parameters, in contrast to subtle decreasing gain values with advancing age for the pseudorandom rotation test. Increasing slow-component velocity values were measured with the caloric test, whereas the frequency parameter showed no relevant age changes. The largest age trends were detected with the VEMP, with decreasing amplitudes, increasing thresholds, and decreasing N1 latencies. All asymmetry parameters remained stable across the different age categories. Only subtle age changes could be demonstrated with the rotational and caloric tests, in contrast to more pronounced age trends with the VEMP.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of age on listening effort. Method: A dual-task paradigm was used to evaluate listening effort in different conditions of background noise. Sixty adults ranging in age from 20 to 77 years were included. A primary speech-recognition task and a secondary memory task were performed both separately and simultaneously. Multiple regression analyses were used to evaluate how age and hearing thresholds affect speech-recognition and listening effort scores. Results: Results of the multiple regression analyses showed that age is a significant determinant of listening effort, whereby listening effort increases with increasing age, even when age-related variance in speech-recognition is partialled out. Based on the regression equations and the median score for listening effort, it was found that listening effort started to increase in the 40^th decade of life. Conclusions: This study was a first exploration of listening effort from young to older adults and showed that, independent of hearing sensitivity, listening effort increases with age. More specifically, there is a need to further investigate the cognitive functions important for speech-communication while exploring their possible relation with listening effort.

It is well known that excessive occupational noise exposure can lead to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Furthermore, the impact of recreational noise exposure on the auditory system is a cause for concern. This recreational noise exposure includes exposure to loud music or even participation in nonmusical activities (eg, practice of noisy sports). In the mainstream media, an increase in prevalence of NIHL owing to recreational noise exposure is assumed. The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, performed between 1988 and 1994, estimated a 12.5% prevalence of a noise-induced threshold shift in at least 1 ear of 6- to 19-year-old US children.¹ Recently, however, no increasing prevalence of hearing loss among US young adults (age, 17-25 years) was reported for hearing tests performed between 1985 and 2004.² This lack of hearing deterioration is most likely explained by the fact that recreational noise exposure is insufficient to cause widespread hearing loss. It is possible that recreational noise exposure occurs only for a small period in life, probably between 5 and 10 years.³ Moreover, a greater public awareness of the potential harmful effects of recreational noise exposure might have increased the use of hearing protection and/or induced an alteration in noise exposure habits. It is also possible that it is too soon to detect the permanent effects of recent advances in personal music player (PMP) technology.

There is great concern regarding the development of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in youth caused by high sound levels during various leisure activities. Health-orientated behavior of young adults might be linked to the beliefs and attitudes toward noise, hearing loss, and hearing protector devices (HPDs). The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of attitudes and beliefs toward noise, hearing loss, and HPDs on young adults' hearing status. A questionnaire and an audiological test battery were completed by 163 subjects (aged 18-30 years). The questionnaire contained the Youth Attitude to Noise Scale (YANS) and Beliefs about Hearing Protection and Hearing Loss (BAHPHL). A more positive attitude or belief represented an attitude where noise or hearing loss is seen as unproblematic and attitudes and beliefs regarding HPDs is worse. Hearing was evaluated using (high frequency) pure tone audiometry (PTA), transient evoked and distortion product otoacoustic emissions. First, mean differences in hearing between the groups with different attitudes and beliefs were evaluated using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Second, a χ² test was used to examine the usage of HPDs by the different groups with different attitudes and beliefs. Young adults with a positive attitude had significantly more deteriorated hearing and used HPDs less than the other subjects. Hearing conservation programs (HCPs) for young adults should provide information and knowledge regarding noise, hearing loss, and HPDs. Barriers wearing HPDs should especially be discussed. Further, those campaigns should focus on self-experienced hearing related symptoms that might serve as triggers for attitudinal and behavioral changes.