AND OBJECTIVES: Exposure to recreational and electronic noise sources increases the risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in pediatric and young adult populations-frequently referred to as Generation Z. Extended high-frequency audiometry (EHFA) is commonly used for the early detection and prognostication of NIHL....
Extended high-frequency audiometry may detect early noise-induced hearing damage in young patients that standard audiometry misses; consider incorporating it into clinical screening for Gen Z patients with significant recreational noise exposure.
Identifying early noise-induced hearing loss in younger generations through extended high-frequency testing could shift screening protocols and prevention counseling before irreversible damage occurs.
- 01Extended high-frequency audiometry (above 8 kHz) was used to detect early noise-induced changes in Gen Z.
- 02Recreational and electronic noise exposure is the primary risk factor studied in this population.
- 03Standard audiometry may miss early high-frequency hearing damage common in young people.
- 04Generation Z's heavy use of personal audio devices raises public health concerns.
- 05Findings support considering extended high-frequency testing in noise-exposed youth.
Electronic and recreational noise exposure in Generation Z is associated with extended high-frequency hearing threshold shifts.
studypartially supportedStandard audiometry is insufficient to detect early noise-induced hearing loss in young populations.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42056013
- DOI
- 10.7874/jao.2025.00640.
- Journal
- Journal of Audiology & Otology
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 2b
- Population
- Generation Z pediatric and young adult individuals with recreational and electronic noise exposure
- Intervention
- Extended high-frequency audiometry
- Comparator
- Standard audiometric thresholds
Primary outcomes
Extended high-frequency audiometric thresholds; Noise-induced hearing loss indicators
