The advent of personal listening devices (PLD) with headphones or earphones has significantly increased music consumption. The WHO (2015) lists PLD as a potential cause of hearing impairment when used at unsafe levels. Due to shared structural and functional characteristics between cochlear and vestibular systems, the vestibular system is at risk of damage from noise exposure, similar to cochlear system. There is limited knowledge about the results of Subjective Vestibular Tests and cVEMP (Cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials) in personal listening device (PLD) users. These tests are cost-effective and efficient for evaluating vestibular involvement in PLD users. This study aims to assess vestibular function using subjective tests and cVEMP in normal hearing individuals with varying durations of PLD use at volumes exceeding 60%. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on individuals aged 18-29 with normal hearing and a history of PLD use. Participants were grouped based on PLD exposure duration: Group A (1.1-2 years), Group B (2.1-3 years), Group C (3.1-4 years), and Group D (less than 1 year). Output dBSPL near the tympanic membrane was measured using the MIRE procedure. Subjective vestibular assessments (Fukuda Stepping Test, Romberg Test, Tandem Gait Test) and cVEMP were also conducted. Results showed no vestibular pathology or balance issues in subjective tests, and average listening level was 73.77 dBA, well below dangerous levels. However, cVEMP results revealed a significant decline in peak-to-peak amplitude (p1-n1) with increased PLD exposure duration, indicating a potential effect on saccular function. Group D (less than 1 year of exposure) had highest amplitudes, while Group C (3.1-4 years) showed the lowest. This suggests that prolonged PLD use may impact vestibular function, even in absence of symptoms. Study highlights the importance of including objective assessments like cVEMP in evaluating vestibular health, as subjective tests alone may not reveal early damage.

Teja Deepak Dessai has completed her Masters in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (2013) and is a PhD Scholar at Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India. She is working as Assistant Professor at Dr. S. R. Chandrasekhar Institute of Speech and Hearing, Bangalore India. She has over 21 publications in national and international peer reviewed journals that have been cited by many. She has been serving as a reviewer to many reputed journals.