DHERE AMAR M. AND CHIRUVELLA SHRAVANI
Abstract
Rapid urbanization and widespread use of personal listening devices have substantially increased noise exposure among young populations, raising public health concerns about early-onset of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The present multicentre cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of NIHL among urban college-going youth in India and examined its association with personal listening device use. A total of 300 students (16-32 years) from four major metropolitan cities Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai, were evaluated using structured questionnaires and pure-tone audiometry. Results revealed normal hearing thresholds at low and mid frequencies (250-2000 Hz) but a consistent elevation at high frequencies (4000-8000 Hz), indicative of early-stage NIHL. Mild hearing loss and tinnitus were more pronounced among participants from Hyderabad and Pune, highlighting significant inter-city variation linked to urban noise environments and lifestyle-related exposure. Prolonged headphone use, higher volume preferences, and cumulative environmental noise emerged as key risk factors. The findings highlight the combined influence of urban environmental noise and unsafe personal listening device use, with clear differences observed across cities. Given the progressive yet preventable nature of NIHL, the results underscore the urgent need for early hearing screening, awareness of safe listening practices, and effective noise management strategies within educational and urban settings to protect the long-term auditory and overall well-being of young populations.