Auditory disorders in young adults users of personal stereos

• Grant number: 12/23421-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2013
• End date: December 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Speech Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Daniela Gil
• Grantee: Bruna de Souza Pedroso Machado
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In today's society noise is a trademark, especially in large urban centers. Music is one of the sources of noise that has gained prominence because of the technological advances that allow storing over hundreds of songs on single electronic equipment such as MP3, MP4, iPod, among others. Therefore, the listener may be exposed to high sound pressure levels for long periods. Exposure to non-occupational noise can also result in Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). Considering the increasing exposure of young people to such a situation and possible risks to the auditory system, this research project aims at assessing the hearing of users and non-users of personal stereos using subjective and electroacoustic methods; correlating the findings of the hearing evaluation with a time of exposure to noise; measuring the sound pressure levels produced by personal stereos; correlating the findings of the hearing evaluation with the sound pressure levels used in personal stereos. This is a descriptive and transversal study on which 80 young adults between 18 to 25 years of users of personal stereos without otological past for auditory alterations of any order will be evaluated by basic hearing evaluation and otoacoustic emissions. The sound pressure levels used in personal stereo by each participant of this project will also be measured. After data collection, a descriptive and inferential analysis of the data will be performed.(AU)