Work

Ear Symptoms and Earphone Usage: A Web-Based Survey Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the potential impact of earphone use on the occurrence of otitis externa (OE) by conducting a survey. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study included 517 participants. The questionnaire comprised 22 items divided into three categories; general information, earphone use, and OE. The questionnaire was designed using Google Forms and distributed through a notice posted on a hospital bulletin board. This notice included a QR code that enabled any interested individual to participate, and the responses were collected automatically. RESULTS: The proportion of respondents who had experienced OE at least once was 21%. Among them, 33.7% experienced OE within the preceding month. For "adhering to the recommendation usage time," individuals who responded "likely" had a 0.440 (odds ratio=0.440, 95% confidence interval=0.195-0.993) times higher likelihood; they were at lower risk of experiencing OE compared to those who responded "very unlikely." CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that proper earphone use can reduce the risk of OE. Despite the lack of a significant relationship between earphone type, physical activity, and cleaning practices, continued adherence to these factors is recommended to prevent OE.

Source: Journal of Audiology & Otology

DOI: 10.7874/jao.2024.00192

Authors: Ga-Young Kim, Mini Jo, Young Sang Cho, Il Joon Moon

Institutions: Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University

Language: English

Topic: Ear Surgery and Otitis Media

Subfield: Otorhinolaryngology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Ministry of Education, National Research Foundation of Korea