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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2011 Mar;50 Suppl 1(0 1):S46-56.
doi: 10.3109/14992027.2010.525754. Epub 2010 Nov 24.

A multi-component intervention to promote hearing protector use among construction workers

Noah S Seixas  1 , Rick Neitzel, Bert Stover, Lianne Sheppard, Bill Daniell, Jane Edelson, Hendrika Meischke
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A multi-component intervention to promote hearing protector use among construction workers

Noah S Seixas et al. Int J Audiol. 2011 Mar.

Abstract

Hearing protection devices (HPD) remain a primary method of prevention of noise-induced hearing loss despite their well-known limitations. A three-pronged intervention to increase HPD use was conducted among construction workers and included a baseline hearing loss prevention training, follow-up 'toolbox' (TB) reinforcement trainings, and use of a personal noise level indicator (NLI). A total of 176 subjects on eight sites completed three assessments. Prior to intervention, HPDs were used an average of 34.5% of the time and increased significantly, up about 12.1% after intervention and 7.5% two months after interventions were completed. The increase in HPD use was greatest among the group receiving both TB and NLI interventions; up about 25% from baseline, and this group was about two times more likely to use HPDs than the BL (baseline) training only group. This study demonstrates the mild impact of a well-constructed HPD use training and provides support for the additional use of a personal NLI to increase use of HPDs among construction workers. The most effective procedures for using such instruments require further exploration.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Prototype NLI as used in the intervention study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Change in percent of time workers used HPDs at two-month (end of intervention period) and four-month assessments by intervention group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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