“Listening at a high-volume may damage your hearing”: exploring the audio use behaviour and knowledge of health campaigns on safe listening among young nigerians

Abstract

This study explores the listening behaviour of young Nigerians, as well as their knowledge on the content of safe listening health campaigns. The study adopts a qualitative research approach and data collected from 20 purposively selected participants, who included Nigerian undergraduates, as well as individuals in the music industry, including music managers, musicians and owners of clubs. Findings from the study show that young people in Nigeria, particularly those aged between 20-29 years old, engage in unhealthy listening habits, including listening to music at high volumes for extended periods; and social factors such as peer culture, social norms, and environmental influences significantly contribute to the development and perpetuation of unhealthy listening habits. Notably, the participants demonstrated limited knowledge of health campaigns on safe listening practices, including recommended intensity, duration, and frequency of exposure to sounds; and this lack of awareness may contribute to the persistence of unhealthy listening habits among young Nigerians. In spite of some participants’ indicated awareness of the dangers of unsafe listening behaviours, various factors intervene between knowledge and behaviour. For instance, peer culture, social norms, financial motivations, environmental factors, and occupational demands pose significant challenges in translating knowledge into action, highlighting the complexity of behavioural change in this context. The findings challenge traditional models such as the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) model, which assume a direct link between knowledge and behaviour. The influence of social, economic, and environmental factors, highlight the need for more in-depth approaches to understanding and addressing unhealthy listening behaviours. The study argues that effective health campaigns on safe listening practices should not only focus on increasing knowledge but also address the underlying social and environmental determinants of behaviour. Strategies should consider the influence of peer culture, social norms, and environmental contexts in promoting behaviour change. The study recommends the incorporation of parents who serve as important health information sources to the young individuals into campaigns to promote safe listening. The use of mobile apps that incentivise safe listening practices is also recommended.