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Development and pilot test of hearing conservation training for construction workers
Author(s) -
Neitzel Richard,
Meischke Hendrika,
Daniell William E.,
Trabeau Maggie,
Somers Sebrina,
Seixas Noah S.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20531
Subject(s) - medicine , hearing protection , flexibility (engineering) , test (biology) , training (meteorology) , noise (video) , occupational safety and health , noise exposure , hearing loss , audiology , program evaluation , statistics , computer science , artificial intelligence , paleontology , physics , mathematics , pathology , meteorology , image (mathematics) , biology
Background Hearing conservation efforts in construction frequently rely on use of hearing protection devices (HPDs): however, training on HPDs is often not provided, and usage rates remain low. In this study, a hearing conservation training program was developed and pilot tested. Methods A theoretical model was selected as the basis for the program, and program contents and delivery methods were selected to optimize the effectiveness and flexibility of the training. Two evaluation measures were selected to assess training‐related changes in self‐reported HPD use. The first was a validated method using concurrent work‐shift noise dosimetry, and the second was a survey concerning workers beliefs and attitudes towards HPDs and HPD use. Results The training program was pilot tested on a single construction site. Complete assessment data were available for 23 workers. The percent of time when hearing protection was used during noise levels above 85 dBA nearly doubled post‐training, and the change was statistically significant. Conclusions Pre‐ and post‐training data from participating workers demonstrated that HPD use can be increased significantly with basic model‐based training, even in industries with complex noise exposures such as construction. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:120–129, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.