Problemas auditivos relacionados ao uso indevido de fones de ouvido

Abstract

This study investigates hearing problems associated with the improper use of headphones, focusing on adolescents and young adults exposed to high sound pressure levels. The objective is to analyze the physiological and behavioral impacts of prolonged use of these devices and to discuss educational strategies aimed at preventing hearing loss. A meta-analysis published by BMJ Global Health in 2022 indicates that approximately 1.35 billion individuals aged 12 to 34 may be at risk of developing hearing loss. The findings highlight how insufficiently this topic is addressed and how misinformation exposes the population to several preventable problems through the development of educational actions and awareness strategies. Accordingly, the study aimed to identify the different types of headphones, understand their functionalities, and describe safe exposure levels, fostering discussions on preventive practices. The research was conducted through an exploratory and descriptive bibliographic study, based on the analysis of scientific articles, institutional documents, and national and international technical reports. Key sources include contributions from the World Health Organization and authors such as Gomide and Blasca (2019), Figueiredo et al. (2011), and Pereira et al. (2020). The first chapter presents hearing problems associated with the improper use of headphones, gathering scientific evidence on symptoms, risks, and health impacts. The second chapter outlines the historical development of headphones and describes their main types and technical characteristics. The third chapter critically discusses the collected data, relating it to the behavior of young people and the social and educational consequences of hearing loss. Finally, the fourth chapter describes the educational outreach initiative developed from the research, detailing its implementation and contributions to raising awareness among young audiences. The results reinforce the need for greater awareness regarding safe listening habits and demonstrate that educational actions are essential to reducing the incidence of hearing problems among youth. Thus, this study emphasizes the importance of hearing health education and suggests pathways for promoting safer listening practices. Through this research, educational outreach actions were developed in partnership with the UFMS Communication Agency, including lectures and the creation of informational materials such as the cards presented in this work.