Noise and Music - A Matter of Risk Perception?
Abstract
The prevalence of tinnitus and hearing impairments among adolescents seems to increase as a
consequence of exposure to loud noise. Several studies have highlighted the negative auditory
effects of exposure to loud music at concerts and discotheques, environments in which young
people today spend considerable periods of time. The appreciation of loud music clearly
involves health-risks. Previous research suggests that patterns of health risk behaviours differ
in relation to socio-economic status. The purpose of this thesis is to gain a better insight into
adolescents’ and young adults’ attitudes and health-risk behaviours regarding exposure to
loud music.
Four empirical studies were conducted. Permanent tinnitus and noise sensitivity were
not found to be significantly related to socio-economic status, although significant age-related
differences in the prevalence of experienced tinnitus and noise sensitivity were found, which
might indicate that the problem increases with age. Of 1285 subjects a larger number (30%)
reported the use of hearing protection when attending concerts. Our finding that adolescents’
attitudes and behaviours regarding the use of hearing protection differed between levels of
socio-economic status and age is of considerable interest. Adolescents from low socio-
economic backgrounds express more positive attitudes towards noise and report less use of
hearing protection, in comparison to those with high SES. These differences in attitudes and
behaviour may indicate future socio-economic differences in ear health.
Comparisons between Swedish and American young adults revealed that attitudes
towards noise differed significantly due to gender and country. Men had more positive
attitudes towards noise than women, and men from the USA had the most positive attitudes.
Least positive were the women from Sweden. In Sweden the use of hearing protection at
concerts was substantially higher than in the USA, a result that can be explained by cultural
and attitudinal differences between the countries. Young people’s experiences, attitudes and
beliefs concerning risk-taking in musical settings have been investigated in a qualitative
study. In a theoretical model, we suggest that background variables, such as gender, culture
and social status may have an impact on the individual’s self-image, risk consideration, social
norms and ideals. These variables, together with attitudes and experience of risk-behaviour,
are considered as important factors in the understanding of health-risk behaviour.
Parts of work
I. Olsen-Widén, S.E., & Erlandsson, S.I. (2004). Self -Reported Tinnitus and Noise Sensitivity among Adolescents in Sweden. Noise & Health 7: 25, 29-40.::PMID::15703147 II. Olsen-Widén, S.E., Erlandsson, S.I. (2004). The Influence of Socio-Economic
Status on Adolescent Attitude to Social Noise and Hearing Protection. Noise & Health 7: 25, 59-70.::PMID::15703150 III. Widén, S.E., Holmes, A.E. , & Erlandsson, S.I. (2006). Reported Hearing Protection Use in Young Adults from Sweden and the USA: Effects of Attitude and Gender. International Journal of Audiology 45: 273-280.::PMID::16717017 IV. Widén, S.E., & Erlandsson, S.I. (2006). Risk perception in musical settings – a qualitative study. (Submitted to: The International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being).
University
Göteborg University
Institution
Department of Psychology
Date
2006-10-05Author
Widén, Stephen E.
Keywords
Adolescents
Tinnitus
Noise sensitivity
Socio-economic status
Attitudes
Use of hearing protection
Risk behaviour
Risk-consideration
Self-image
Norms and Ideals
Publication type
Doctoral thesis
ISBN
978-91-628-6889-5
91-628-6889-6
ISSN
1101-718X
Series/Report no.
Doctoral Dissertation
Avhandling
Language
eng