Use of portable audio devices by university students

Authors

  • Shazia Ahmed University of Toronto at Mississauga, Department of Psychology, 3359 Mississauga Rd. N, Mississauga, Ont.
  • Sina Fallah University of Toronto at Mississauga, Department of Psychology, 3359 Mississauga Rd. N, Mississauga, Ont.
  • Brenda Garrido University of Toronto at Mississauga, Department of Psychology, 3359 Mississauga Rd. N, Mississauga, Ont.
  • Andrew Gross University of Toronto at Mississauga, Department of Psychology, 3359 Mississauga Rd. N, Mississauga, Ont.
  • Matthew King University of Toronto at Mississauga, Department of Psychology, 3359 Mississauga Rd. N, Mississauga, Ont.
  • Timothy Morrish University of Toronto at Mississauga, Department of Psychology, 3359 Mississauga Rd. N, Mississauga, Ont.
  • Desiree Pereira University of Toronto at Mississauga, Department of Psychology, 3359 Mississauga Rd. N, Mississauga, Ont.
  • Shaun Sharma University of Toronto at Mississauga, Department of Psychology, 3359 Mississauga Rd. N, Mississauga, Ont.
  • Ewelina Zaszewska University of Toronto at Mississauga, Department of Psychology, 3359 Mississauga Rd. N, Mississauga, Ont.
  • Kathy Pichora-Fuller University of Toronto at Mississauga, Department of Psychology, 3359 Mississauga Rd. N, Mississauga, Ont.

Keywords:

Acoustic noise, Audition, Education, Equalizers, Portable equipment, Digital portable audio devices, Multi-talker babble, Noise exposure, Portable audio devices

Abstract

New digital portable audio devices such as the Apple iPod have caused renewed concerns that recreational noise exposure may pose a danger to the hearing health of young adults. In this study, 150 undergraduates completed a survey about their use of portable audio devices and about other factors that could affect their hearing health. In addition to completing the survey, 24 students also participated in an experimental session. In the experimental session, hearing thresholds up to 14 kHz were measured and objective acoustical measures of output of the iPod were obtained. Participants listened to music and adjusted an iPod to their preferred setting in five conditions: in quiet and in two types of background noise, traffic or multi-talker babble background, at a high and a low level. A Brüel and Kjær dummy head and PULSE sound analysis system were used to measure the output of the iPod at the preferred settings of the students and at predetermined volume and equalizer control settings. It was found that most students use portable audio devices, but the pattern of their usage seems to be potentially hazardous only for a minority. The importance of education about safe usage of this technology is emphasized.

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Published

2007-03-01

How to Cite

1.
Ahmed S, Fallah S, Garrido B, Gross A, King M, Morrish T, Pereira D, Sharma S, Zaszewska E, Pichora-Fuller K. Use of portable audio devices by university students. Canadian Acoustics [Internet]. 2007 Mar. 1 [cited 2023 Jun. 3];35(1):35-52. Available from: https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/1870

Issue

Vol. 35 No. 1 (2007)

Section

Technical Articles

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