Ten-year results of leisure noise exposure among adolescents and young adults-findings from the OHRKAN cohort study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To observe total leisure noise (TLN) exposure and to investigate determinants of risky TLN exposure among adolescents and young adults over a ten-year observation period. DESIGN: OHRKAN is a longitudinal study with five equidistantly distributed questionnaires (waves) over ten years. Risky TLN exposure was defined as exceeding ≥85dB(A) averaged over 40h per week. To identify determinants of risky TLN exposure longitudinally, generalised estimating equations were applied. STUDY SAMPLE A subgroup (n = 661; mean age 25.6 years in the fifth wave; 58.4% female) of the closed cohort study OHRKAN was analysed. Included participants took part in the fifth wave prior to the study break due to COVID-19. RESULTS: Analysis of participants' data from all five waves showed that risky TLN exposure was highest during the second wave (72.0%), when participants were aged 17-19 years, and thereafter steadily declined. Among young adults, attendance at discotheques and private parties, especially, caused very high exposure. Determinants of risky TLN exposure were wave time point, male gender, a higher level of education, and smoking. CONCLUSIONS: As TLN exposure is highest among older adolescents, prevention programs should target younger teenagers and be tailored to the identified risk groups. The risk from private parties should be addressed.