title: Efficacy of a computer-based hearing test and tailored hearing protection intervention.
abstract: Advances in computer technology and accessibility enable researchers to provide individually tailored interventions for behavioral change. Using multimedia technology, this study developed and tested a computer-based hearing test and a tailored intervention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, using a randomized experimental design, the efficacy of the intervention to increase workers' use of hearing protection. The tailored intervention developed by the research team showed more significant short-term effect measured immediately after the intervention than the control intervention. For the long-term effect measured 1 year after the intervention, both tailored and control groups showed significant increase in their reported use (7% vs. 6%) from preintervention to postintervention, but no significant difference between the two groups. The change accomplished in this study was small progress toward the desired level of 100% use of hearing protection to prevent noise-induced hearing loss. This finding showed that changing workers' hearing protection behavior is difficult.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0482, USA. oshong@umich.edu
authors.forename: OiSaeng
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Ronis
authors.forename: Sally L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Lusk
authors.forename: Gwang-Soog
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Kee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D004430:Ear Protective Devices; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014481:United States