Objective: To understand the usage of MP3 and effects on hearing of middle school students in Xi'an, and discuss controlling strategies.
Method: Stratified random cluster sampling method was used in the 1567 middle school students in Xi'an through questionnaire survey, ear examination and hearing examination, data were analysed by the SPSS13.0 statistical software.
Result: 1) The rate of holding MP3 in the middle school students was 85.2%. Average daily use time was (1.41 +/- 1.11) h. 2) The noise group of pure tone hearing threshold was significantly higher compared with the control group (P<0.01), and increased the detection rate of hearing loss with the increasing use of MP3. 3) The detection rate of symptoms increased with the increasing use of MP3.
Conclusion: The usage of MP3 can harm hearing in middle school students, which can result in neurasthenic syndrome.