Recreational noise exposure decreases olivocochlear efferent reflex strength in young adults.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate effects of recreational noise exposure on olivocochlear efferent function.

METHODS

efferent suppression of DPOAEs and acoustic reflexes were tested in 32 young personal listening device users with normal hearing and compared with that of healthy, non-noise-exposed young adults.

RESULTS

The results showed that the efferent suppression of DPOAEs was mainly at low frequencies (0.75 and 1.0 kHz) in both groups and the efferent suppression of DPOAEs and acoustic reflexes in the noise exposure group was slightly lower than that in the control group, with no significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results revealed that there were no differences in DPOAE changes or medial olivocochlear bundle function between normal-hearing subjects exposed to recreational noise and controls and suggest that recreational noise has different effects on olivocochlear efferent reflex strength compared with occupational noise exposure.