Personal Listening Device Use and Self-Reported Auditory and Nonauditory Symptoms among University Students in Malawi: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of personal listening device (PLD) use among young adults has significantly increased, especially in university settings. This widespread usage, often at high volumes and with poor ear hygiene practices, raises concerns about its impact on ear health.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine PLD usage patterns and their association with self-reported auditory and nonauditory symptoms among university students at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Malawi.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 96 students using a semi-structured questionnaire. Outcomes included self-reported auditory and nonauditory symptoms. Explanatory variables comprised PLD use patterns, device characteristics, noise-modifying features, and ear hygiene practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression to assess associations between PLD use and auditory symptoms.

RESULTS

Daily use of PLDs was reported by 79 participants (82.3%). Earphone sharing was common, with 74.0% of participants reporting that they shared earphones, while 54.2% reported that they did not clean their devices. The most frequently reported auditory symptoms were inner-ear itching (56.2%) and earache (40.6%). Among nonauditory symptoms, headache (63.5%) and irritability (34.4%) were the most commonly reported. Logistic regression analysis showed that daily PLD use was significantly associated with higher odds of reporting at least one auditory symptom (adjusted odds ratio = 2.10, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-4.62; P  = 0.048).

CONCLUSION

PLD use was common among university students in this study, and self-reported auditory and nonauditory symptoms were frequently reported. Daily PLD use was associated with a higher likelihood of reporting auditory symptoms. These findings highlight the need for increased awareness of safe listening practices and ear hygiene among young adults, particularly in settings where low-cost listening devices are widely used.