Study of pattern of use of portable listening devices and health problems related to it among college students from Delhi

The popularity of portable listening devices (PLDs) including iPods has increased dramatically over the past decade. Many of them use earphones for prolonged periods at high sound that may pose a risk for hearing loss; and accidents because of their use even on road. Objective: To study the knowledge, attitude, practices and health problems related to the use of Portable Listening Devices among college students of Delhi. Settings and design: cross sectional, descriptive study conducted among college going students of Delhi in the year 2016. Materials and Methods: The study was undertaken among 399 students from 8 different colleges of Delhi in the year 2015. A 27-item, pre-tested, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was used. Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 16, Chi-square test for association was used and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 67.2% students listened to Portable Listening Devices every day, and 61.2% used them for more than an hour. Most common Portable Listening Device used is mobiles. 28.3% students listened to music at high volume. 72.2% students faced one problem or the other due to the use of Portable Listening Devices. 5.5% students have already been in some kind of accident due to use of earphones. Maximum percentage of subjects perceived the same period of use of Portable Listening Devices to be less than ones hour. There was a significant difference in the practice and health problems between males and females; students who stayed alone and who stayed with parents. Conclusion: Use of personal listening devices is a part of lifestyle of an average college going student from Delhi and they need to be educated about various aspects of its use.