title: A pilot study to prevent hearing loss in farmers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Determine the feasibility and outcome of a pilot program to increase farm workers' use of hearing protection when performing activities with high noise exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a quasi-experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight intervention farmers and 17 comparison farmers participated in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Before and after the intervention, farmers completed a survey to identify their frequency of use of hearing protection, and their beliefs about hearing loss and use of hearing protection.
  
  
  METHODS
  The intervention consisted of noise assessments, educational sessions, mailed reminders with brochures, and placement of hearing protection on the farm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intervention was effective in increasing the use of hearing protection 1 and 2 months after the implementation of the program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hearing loss is a serious problem with farmers, and yet many farmers neglect to protect their hearing with the use of protection. The pilot study findings indicate that efforts to increase the use of hearing protection by farmers can be effective.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0038, USA. Donna.gates@uc.edu
authors.forename: Donna M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Gates
authors.forename: M Susan
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004430:Ear Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires