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Prospective, randomized controlled assessment of the short‐ and long‐term efficacy of a hearing conservation education program in Canadian elementary school children
Author(s) -
Neufeld Anastasia,
Westerberg Brian D.,
Nabi Shahin,
Bryce Graham,
Bureau Yves
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.21185
Subject(s) - intervention (counseling) , hearing loss , multiple baseline design , baseline (sea) , medicine , audiology , randomized controlled trial , prospective cohort study , physical therapy , psychology , surgery , nursing , oceanography , geology
Objective: To assess the efficacy of a hearing conservation program in changing acoustic risk‐taking and hearing conservation behaviors in elementary school children. Study Design: Prospective, randomized, mixed design controlled study. Methods: Participants were g rade‐six students from 16 Vancouver School Board schools. Differences between the intervention and control group responses on a behavioral questionnaire were measured at baseline, and then at 2 weeks and 6 months after administration of a hearing conservation program ( Sound Sense ™). Results: The intervention resulted in significant interactions for improved earplug use at dances ( P = .019), rock concerts ( P = .001), with percussion musical instruments ( P = .002), and electric guitars ( P = .028) at 2 weeks postintervention relative to baseline. Improvements in children's earplug use at dances ( P = .041), rock concerts ( P = .0024), and with power lawn mowers ( P = .043) at 6 months postintervention relative to baseline were also observed. Behavior in the intervention group compared to control group improved in earplug use with any “other noises” at 2 weeks ( P = .001), and 6 months ( P = .022) relative to baseline. There was a tendency in the intervention group to reduce the duration of use of personal music devices at 2 weeks and 6 months after the hearing conservation program, which was nonsignificant. Conclusion: The Sound Sense™ hearing conservation program improved earplug use practices in elementary school children in the short and long term. The development, implementation and evaluation of a community‐based health promotion project around hearing loss can serve as a tremendous opportunity for students to develop their knowledge and skills in health advocacy. Laryngoscope, 2011