College Student's Perception Towards Listening Health During COVID 19 An Online Survey

Abstract

The current pandemic has shifted the teaching-learning modality to online. Hence, the current use of headphones or earphones is not limited to listening to music or movies and engaging in learning. The study aimed to investigate students' behaviours in terms of their attitudes and awareness of listening health problems The questionnaire was administered using Google Forms. The data on hearing health, attitude and noise reduction behaviours were captured from 500 college-going students aged 18-24 using a questionnaire developed by Gilliver, Beach and Williams [1]. Regarding hearing health indicators, 21.2% rated their hearing as “almost perfect”, and 34.8% rated it as “very good”. In terms of knowledge and attitude regarding noise exposure - 75.6% of the participants “understand the importance of good hearing”, and most of them (41.6%) agree that “noise exposure can cause hearing loss and damage is permanent”. Regarding noise reduction behaviour - 70% “undertook steps to prevent noise exposure”, and 53.3% reported making it to the point of “avoiding and limiting noise exposure”. With the increased involvement of students in online activity during the current COVID-19 pandemic, there is an increased need to conduct an awareness program regarding hearing health. These preventive measures would help for better hearing and listening and avoid the risk of hearing loss due to prolonged use of headphones/earphones.