The Silent Effects of Loud Music: Examining Hidden Hearing Loss and Cognitive Function in Young Adults.

Introduction: This study investigates whether high levels of headphone music listening in young adults contribute to hidden hearing loss (HHL) and whether listening effort (LE) and cognitive skills differ based on headphone exposure.

Methods: Fifty participants (18-30 years) with normal hearing were divided into high-risk (HR) and low-risk (LR) groups based on annual headphone exposure levels recorded via smartphone applications. Participants underwent high-frequency audiometry, ABR, matrix sentence test, behavioural LE measurement, and P300 testing. The measurement of LE and P300 was conducted at varying signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Working memory was assessed using the reading span test, while attention abilities were evaluated with the Stroop test. Finally, short-term memory was assessed through the visual auditory number sequences test.

Results: The findings from the ABR and matrix sentence tests indicated signs of noise-induced cochlear synaptopathy in the HR group. In this group, an increase in LE was observed as SNR decreased, which was statistically significant. Furthermore, a significant decrease in P300 amplitude was found in response to SNR changes in the HR group; however, no significant difference was observed in the LR group. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between the two groups in the cognitive tests administered.

Conclusions: The present study lends support to the hypothesis that the habitual listening of music at high volumes through headphones has the potential to result in HHL; however, further longitudinal studies are required to assess the impact of this condition on cognitive skills.