New Study Finds Adolescent Girls of Low Socioeconomic Status Have Increased Incidence of High Frequency Hearing Loss

A new study published online by the Journal of Adolescent Health(doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.06.014) found increased incidence of high frequency hearing loss, reported tinnitus, personal listening device use, and hours of daily use in at-risk female adolescents of a low socioeconomic status. The abstract is provided here;for a subscription to the journal, please visit www.jahonline.org

Title: High Frequency Hearing Sensitivity in Adolescent Females of a Lower Socioeconomic Status Over a Period of 24 Years (1985-2008)

Authors: Abbey L. Berg, Ph.D. & Yula C. Serpanos, Ph.D.

Purpose: To examine annually over a period of 24 years, the high frequency hearing sensitivity in different groups of urban female adolescents with a low socioeconomic status (SES) and residential foster care.

Methods: Hearing screening (15 decibel [dB] hearing level ranging from 1,000 to 8,000 Hertz [Hz]) and threshold (>15 dB hearing level) records were obtained from 8,710 female adolescents (mean age, 15.8 years [range, 12-20 years]), predominantly Hispanic and African American from households with a low SES. Data related to the use of personal listening devices (PLDs), daily hours of usage, occurrence of tinnitus, and hearing thresholds between 1,000 and 8,000 Hz over an 8-year period (2001-2008) were obtained from the adolescents.

Results: High frequency hearing loss (HFHL) doubled over the 24-year period from 10.1% in 1985 to 19.2% in 2008. In comparison with the general adolescent population, this group of female adolescents presented with a higher percentage of bilateral mild or greater degrees of HFHL at two or more frequencies including 3,000, 4,000, and 6,000 Hz. Use of PLDs increased four-fold, from 18.3% (n = 68) in 2001 to 76.4% (n = 227) in 2008. Of the total number reporting tinnitus (n = 286), 99.7% (n = 285) also reported regular PLD use. A significant relationship was found between PLD use and reported tinnitus and HFHL irrespective of time of use of PLD.

Conclusions: Increased incidence of HFHL, reported tinnitus, PLD use, and hours of daily use in at-risk female adolescents of a low SES was found. A frequency interval of 3,000-6,000 Hz should be included in hearing screening protocols to identify potentially disabling hearing loss. Hearing conservation strategies need to be developed and/or modified that target and reach at-risk children and adolescents.