Music exposure and hearing health education: A review of knowledge, attitude, and behaviour in adolescents and young adults

Introduction: Adolescents and young adults have been shown to be the age group most at risk of musicinduced hearing loss (MIHL), which is already evident and increasing among this group. Objective: The purpose of this review is to provide further insight into the effectiveness of education programmes on attitude and behaviour towards loud music exposure in adolescents and young adults, and to suggest positive and influential ways of delivering hearing health education. Methods: Literature searches were conducted using various databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). Authors went through the abstracts of these articles to identify those which were potentially relevant; subsequently the full articles were retrieved. Results: This review highlights the dangers of significant exposure to music on hearing mechanics in adolescents and young adults, and shows that this danger continues to increase with modern music culture. Because the consequences are not immediate, it is difficult for the young to perceive the seriousness of a problem that may not present itself for many years. Conventional education may go a little way in helping to raise awareness but a raised awareness of consequences does not, in itself, change behaviour. There is a significant gap in literature regarding effective methods of education that will inspire attitude change, and have a bearing on actions. Conclusion: This review has concluded that there is a lack of understanding of how to best influence and educate adolescents and young adults in a way that will motivate and encourage a change in listening habits. It is of vital importance that these groups are made aware of the immediate and future dangers, and how changes in listening behaviour do not necessarily lower their enjoyment.