الفهرس 
Aim of the WorkOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in adults worldwide, approximately 15% of the world’s adult population has some degree of hearing loss. By 2030 it is predicted that more than 630 million people will have hearing loss and if no action is taken, more than 900 million people will be affected by 2050 (WHO, 2018).
Hearing loss can be influenced by various risk factors, and the excessive use of personal listening devices (PLDs) and mobile phones has been found to have an impact on hearing health. Prolonged and high-volume exposure to these devices can contribute to hearing loss over time.
In order to address the issue of hearing loss and promote overall hearing health, health education plays a crucial role. By increasing awareness about the potential risks and consequences of hearing loss, individuals can make informed decisions regarding the use of PLDs and mobile phones. Health education programs can provide information on safe listening practices, the importance of taking breaks, and the use of noise-cancelling headphones or ear protection in noisy environments.
Aim of work was to: 1.To measure the prevalence of hearing loss among students and employees of Ain Shams University.2.To identify potentially associated risk factors of hearing loss (genetic and environmental) among students and employees of Ain Shams University.3.To describe the pattern of mobile phone and personal listening devices use in relation to hearing loss among university students and employees.4.To evaluate effectiveness of a hearing conservation program provided to university students by comparing the knowledge and attitude about hearing loss before and after the program.
A cross-sectional study included 628 students and employees of Ain Shams University to assess the prevalence of hearing loss and identify associated risk factors, such as family history, other diseases, and ototoxic drug intake. The study also examined the relationship between hearing loss and the use of mobile phones and personal listening devices. The research utilized a convenience sampling technique to select participants, who were then tested for hearing loss using a validated questionnaire and a WHO validated mobile hearing application. Those who tested positive in both assessments were referred to the audiology department for further evaluation through pure tone audiometry (PTA). Additionally, a health education intervention program was conducted among a sample of (160) students, and its impact on knowledge and attitudes was measured after the intervention.
The study revealed that employees had a slightly higher prevalence of hearing loss (1.8%) compared to students (1.6%) based on PTA results. Moreover, employees also exhibited significantly higher hearing threshold levels compared to students. Specifically, individuals who used mobile phones for more than 10 years, used PLDs for more than 60 minutes, and listened at volumes exceeding 60% of the maximum volume showed higher hearing loss.
It was found that COVID-19 was the most common risk factor, affecting a significant percentage of both students (41%) and employees (57%). On the other hand, the data showed that diabetes and hypertension were the least common risk factors among students, with less than 2% of the population having these conditions. Additionally, the results indicated that the usage of ototoxic drugs was the least common risk factor among both employees and students, with a consistent prevalence of 10.6% in both groups.
After using PLDs, tinnitus was the most commonly reported symptom, experienced by 48.7% of students and 31.7% of employees. Other reported symptoms included ear pain and excess ear wax, while balance disturbance was the least common. The study found a significant association between all-day PLD use and the occurrence of tinnitus, ear pain, excess ear wax, and hearing loss among students (P<0.05). Additionally, the number of years of PLD use and listening volume were associated with tinnitus and ear pain (P<0.05).
Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed statistically significant odds ratios, indicating a high/very high-risk status for PLDs and the following conditions: tinnitus (OR: 2.1, CI: 1.3-3.2), ear pain (OR: 2.7, CI: 1.7-4.3), excessive ear wax (OR: 2.1, CI: 1.2-3.7), and hearing loss by screening (OR: 2.5, CI: 1.5-3.2). Furthermore, the study examined knowledge and attitudes toward noise, with the highest level of knowledge observed regarding the effect of earphones on hearing (99%). The study also revealed that the lowest level of knowledge was observed regarding early symptoms of hearing loss, with only 42% of participants answering correctly. In terms of attitudes, students generally had a neutral attitude towards noise. Moreover, the study found a significant improvement in both knowledge scores and attitudes after implementing the program. The overall attitude shifted from neutral to negative following the program.
Based on these findings, recommendations were made to enhance awareness and education on hearing health, implement preventive measures, establish routine hearing screenings, strengthen collaboration with audiology departments, conduct longitudinal studies, expand the scope of research to include other universities, evaluate the effectiveness of health education programs and advocate for public policy changes, and establish continuous monitoring and evaluation systems for hearing health. These recommendations aim to improve the overall hearing health and well-being of the university community.