Sofia J, Iszalina I, Nurulain A, Poh BF, Tan ID.
Effect of Walkman on Hearing.
Pak J Otolaryngol Jan ;18(1):2-5.

This research was conducted at the audiology clinic of University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), with a view to detect the effect of walkman on the hearing system of its users and to investigate whether the Distorsion Product Otoacoustic emission test can provide an early and reliable sign of cochlear damage or not. Distorsion Product Otoacoustic Emission test (DPOAE) helps to determine the function of outer hair cells. Outer hair cells get damaged with exposure to loud sound, drugs and aging. Thirty subjects between the ages of 19-25 years, who fulfilled all the criteria of selection, were investigated. Twenty subjects were in the study group and ten in the control group. Control group subjects were not exposed to loud sounds like, disco, concert, walkman or gun shooting etc. Those in the study group were regular users of walkman but were not exposed to any other loud sound. None of these 30 subjects have used or was using any ototoxic medicine. They had no family history of hearing loss or history of ear surgery. Their hearing was normal (<20dBHL) at all the frequencies (250Hz-8000Hz). Middle ear function was also normal (manifested by type A tympanogram). All these subjects underwent Distorsion Product Otoacoustic emission test. When compared, lower emissions of Distorsion Product Otoacoustic emission, across all the frequencies was observed in the study group, suggesting outer hair cell damage in the walkman users. These differences were statistically significant (p<0.05) >2kHz. Those using walkman for longer duration showed greater damage (manifested by lower emission levels). It is concluded that Distorsion Product Otoacoustic emission test is a much sensitive test than PTA. It is suggested thatpeople exposed to loud noise should be monitored with Distorsion Product Otoacoustic emission test.

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