Utilization of Sound Devices by Teenagers

ObjectiveTo verify the utilization of electronic device (iPod, MP3, Cell Phone and PC) by teenagers who are students in public schools of São Paulo, Brazil. MethodologyTransversal, observational and quantitative study carried out in 2011, in a school of São Paulo/Brazil, involving students from 10 to 17 years old.The sample answered to a questionnaire containing questions which referred to electronic devices: type of phones, time and places utilized, elevated volume.It was done the chi-square and it was considered p<0.05. ResultsAmong the 249 teenagers studied, 55.8% were females, the average age was 12.6 (± 1.42) years old.Utilization of phones: 89.9% girls and 73.6% boys (p=0,01).Type: 17% external, 18.9% internal and 64.1% occlusive.Time of usage: cell phone ->1 hour/day by 26.4% girls and 38.3% boys (p=0,03); iPod/MP3 ->1 hour/day by 26.4% girls and 18.5% boys (p=0.06).Related to the places: 50% streets, 87% home, 45% car, 31% subway, 47% bus and 21% park.Elevated volume in cell phone: 28% by females and 35.8% by males (p=0.83); in iPod/MP3, 16.7% and 25.9% (p=0.06),respectively. ConclusionThe teenagers of female gender utilize the earphones and the electronic devices for a longer time than the male ones; the teenagers of male gender utilize the electronic devices in a louder volume than the female ones; among the types of earphones, the teenagers choose principally the occlusive one; a huge part utilize in competitive background noise situation such as in buses, cars and subway.