Azize Arzu Koçyiğit

This study aims to investigate the correlation between decreased sound tolerance disorders and sensory processing disorder, as well as the sensory systems that are affected when decreased sound tolerance disorders exist. The study included 315 individuals aged 18–35 with normal hearing and no neurological disorders. Participants completed the Decreased Sound Tolerance Disorder Scale (DSTS) and the Adult Sensory Processing Scale (ASPS). According to the DSTS, 278 individuals with decreased sound tolerance disorders were included as the study group, and 37 individuals without decreased sound tolerance were included as a control group. The DSTS includes 33 items assessing symptoms of hyperacusis, phonophobia, and misophonia. The ASPS consists of 48 items across 11 factors that assess the sensitivity of different sensory domains. The distribution of decreased sound tolerance disorders among the participants indicated that 113 participants (35.9%) had all three types of DSTs (triple DST), 85 participants (27.0%) had two types of DSTs (dual DST), 16 participants (5.1%) had hyperacusis only, 14 participants (4.4%) had phonophobia only, 50 participants (15.9%) had misophonia only, and 37 participants (11.7%) had no DSTs (non-DST). A moderately positive correlation was found between the total scores of the ASPS and hyperacusis ( , ), and misophonia ( , ) scores. Total ASPS scores were higher in those with misophonia compared to those without ( ). The results of this study indicate that individuals with decreased sound tolerance may have difficulty in processing not only auditory but also visual, vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile stimuli.

Background: Self-esteem is an individual's perception of themselves. Professional self-esteem is defined as the individual's perception of worthiness regarding their preferred profession. The research aims to examine the relationship between the self-esteem and professional self-esteem of Audiology department students and raise awareness of this issue. Material and Method: In our study, 532 students in the Audiology undergraduate department were included. Professional Self-Esteem and Self-Esteem questionnaires were delivered to the students online via Google Forms, using snowball sampling, in social media groups of the Audiology undergraduate students. Data were analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis, Mann Whitney U, and Kruskal Wallis Test. p < 0.05 was accepted as significance value. Results: According to the results, it has been observed that there is a weak and significant positive correlation between the professional self-esteem of the audiologist candidates and their total self-esteem scores (p < 0.05). Self-esteem and professional self-esteem scores of those who chose the profession willingly were significantly higher than those who did not choose the profession willingly (p < 0.05). As the grade level increased, professional self-esteem decreased significantly (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the scores in both scales according to income, university type, and gender (p > 0.05). Conclusion: As a result, it was observed that as the self-esteem of the audiologist candidates increased, their professional self-esteem increased. Also, as the class level increased, their professional self-esteem decreased.

Background: Today, young people who listen to loud music, especially through headphones, are at an extremely high risk of noise-induced hearing loss. The aim of this study was to investigate how young people’s listening habits affect their hearing thresholds. A total of 88 young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 took part in the study, 44 of whom listened to music through headphones while the others did not. The control group was exposed to white noise at 55–65 dB with the Interacoustic AC 40 Hybrid Audiometer, and people who did not use headphones and said they were not exposed to higher levels of sound than the given sample were included in the study. Participants were given a survey to assess their music listening preferences. One hundred twenty-five to 18,000 Hz air conduction hearing thresholds were assessed for all participants. Results: When the pure tone thresholds of the groups were compared, the independent t-test showed that the thresholds of the study group were significantly worse than those of the control group. Bilaterally in the 4000 Hz band and for the left ear in the 6000 Hz band (p < 0.05). There were also significant differences between the groups in the 14,000 Hz and 16,000 Hz bands in the right ear and the 14,000 Hz, 16,000 Hz, and 18,000 Hz bands in the left ear (p < 0.05). Twenty-two participants reported listening to music at a high level, 16 participants at a moderate level, and 6 participants at a very high level. Conclusion: Although the hearing thresholds of the study group were worse than those of the control group in the 4000 Hz, 6000 Hz, 14,000 Hz, 16,000 Hz, and 18,000 Hz bands, the hearing thresholds of both groups were still within the hearing range and could be classified as normal. It should be remembered that hearing will deteriorate if a person listens to loud or very loud music continuously through headphones. The public, especially young people, should be made aware of this.