title: A multi-component intervention to promote hearing protector use among construction workers.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, USA. nseixas@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Noah S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Seixas
authors.forename: Rick
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Neitzel
authors.forename: Bert
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stover
authors.forename: Lianne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sheppard
authors.forename: Bill
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Daniell
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Edelson
authors.forename: Hendrika
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Meischke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001299:Audiometry; D004430:Ear Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009786:Occupational Health Services; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D014861:Washington; D000078329:Workforce