title: Training on hearing protector insertion improves noise attenuation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy of hearing protector insertion by comparing attenuation values measured by objective (MIRE) and subjective (REAT) methods in groups with and without training.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 80 male subjects assigned to experimental (with training) and control (without training) groups. The following procedures were performed: occupational history, objective and subjective assessment of hearing protectors. Only subjects in the experimental group received training and guidance on proper hearing protector insertion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Attenuation values were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group at all frequencies (500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz) investigated through the objective (MIRE) and subjective (REAT) methods. In addition, attenuation values in the control group were lower than those provided by the hearing protector manufacturer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both objective and subjective attenuation tests demonstrated the efficacy of training on insertion of hearing protectors because the group that received training on proper hearing protection insertion exhibited higher attenuation values than the untrained group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, and Occupational Therapy, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alessandra Giannella
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Samelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, and Occupational Therapy, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Clayton Henrique
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, and Occupational Therapy, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Patrícia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Theodósio
authors.affiliation: University Hospital, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renata Rodrigues
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, and Occupational Therapy, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ivone Ferreira
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Neves-Lobo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004430:Ear Protective Devices; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012015:Reference Standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055815:Young Adult