| dc.description.abstract | Background. The increasing use of earphones among university students, both for
entertainment and academic purposes, poses a risk of Noise Induced Hearing
Loss (NIHL). Prolonged duration, high frequency, and excessive volume of
earphone use can damage the hair cells in the cochlea. Medical students are
particularly at risk due to their intensive earphone use habits; therefore, it is
important to assess its impact on hearing function. Objective. This study aims to
determine the relationship between earphone use habits and the degree of hearing
loss among medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera
Utara, class of 2022. Method. This research is an analytical study with a crosssectional design. The sample consisted of 56 students selected using a consecutive
sampling technique. Data were obtained through questionnaires assessing
earphone use habits (duration, frequency, and volume intensity) and pure-tone
audiometry examinations to measure hearing thresholds. Data analysis was
conducted using the Chi-square test. Results. Based on data obtained from 56
respondents, it is known that there is the use of earphones with a duration of use
of 1-3 hours totaling 29 people (51,8%), duration of use <1 hour totaling 16
people (28,6%), duration of use 4-7 hours totaling 7 people (12,5%), duration of
use >8 hours totaling 4 people (7,1%). The use of earphones with a volume of 50-
60% totaling 23 people (41,1%), volume of use <50% totaling 17 people (30,4%),
volume of use 60-70% totaling 10 people (17,9%), volume of use >70% totaling 6
people (10,7%). The use of earphones with a frequency of 2-3 days per week
totaling 29 people (51,8%), frequency of use 4-5 days per week totaling 11 people
(19,6%), frequency of use 1 day per week totaling 10 people (17,9%), frequency
of use every day totaling 6 people (10,7%). Respondents with normal hearing
numbered 38 people (67,9%), mild right sensorineural deafness numbered 4
people (7,1%), left sensorineural deafness numbered 2 people (3,6%), and
bilateral mild sensorineural deafness numbered 12 people (21,4%).
Conclusion. There is a significant relationship between usage duration (p =
0.004), volume intensity (p = 0.001), and frequency of use (p = 0.001) with the
degree of hearing loss. | en_US |
