Habitual use of personal listening devices is an increasing source of recreational noise exposure and may lead to early auditory dysfunction despite normal hearing thresholds. This study examined spectral profile analysis and speech perception in noise in habitual earphone users and their association with listening habits.
Habitual earphone users with normal audiograms may show subclinical (below the detectable threshold) auditory dysfunction on speech-in-noise and spectral profile tests; audiologists should consider supplementary testing in this population, though prospective data confirming clinical benefit of early intervention are still needed.
Identifying hidden auditory dysfunction in earphone users with normal thresholds could prompt earlier preventive counselling and reshape how audiologists screen young adults for recreational noise exposure risk.
- 01Habitual earphone users with normal pure-tone thresholds showed poorer speech-in-noise performance than non-habitual users.