Introduction: The increasing use of earphones and headphones among university students has raised public health concerns, particularly regarding prolonged exposure to sound and the potential for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). This study assessed the level of awareness, preventive practices, health issues experienced, and associated factors among undergraduate students in Abia State University, Uturu, with respect to prolonged earphone and headphone usage. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed involving a sample of undergraduates selected using stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Associations between awareness, practices, and health outcomes were tested using chi-square analysis at a 5% significance level. Results: Awareness of health hazards was moderate (63.0%). Preventive actions include lowering volume (79.8%), restricting time of use (65.0%), and taking listening breaks (84.0%). Commonly reported health issues included ear pain (26.3%), headaches (19.5%), sleeping difficulty (12.0%), ear infection (11.3%), tinnitus (5.3%) and others. Gender, frequency of use, and duration per session were significantly associated with both awareness levels and health complications (P<0.05). Conclusion: Despite knowledge of potential risks, preventive behaviour was inconsistent. Targeted health education campaigns and periodic auditory screenings are recommended to mitigate the long-term risks of unsafe listening habits.
Chioma et al. (Sun,) studied this question.