Incidence of tinnitus in mp3 player users

Exposure to loud noise is one of the main causes of tinnitus. AIM: To analyze the incidence of tinnitus in mp3 player users and non-users. MATERIAL AND METHOD: One hundred subjects aged from 15 to 30 years were enrolled, 54 of them were regular mp3 player users and 46 were not. Patients with continuous tinnitus for at least 6 months completed the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and were tested with high frequency audiometry and transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TAOE). STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional cohort study. RESULTS: The incidence of tinnitus in non-users was about 8%; in mp3 player users it was about 28 %, a statistically significant difference. Hearing thresholds at 8kHz were significantly higher in tinnitus patients that used mp3 portable players. TAOE were reduced at 2 kHz in the users group. No statistically significant difference was found in the THI scores between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Tinnitus was more frequent in teenagers and young adults who regularly listen to mp3 music in players. Moreover, the incidence of tinnitus among mp3 player users was associated with higher hearing thresholds at 8 kHz and lower TOAE at 2 kHz. Clinicaltrials.gov registration number: NCT 01187251