Effectiveness of an Intervention to Increase Construction Workers' Use of Hearing Protection

Abstract

In this project we tested the effectiveness of a theory-based intervention (video, pamphlets, and guided practice session) to increase the use of hearing protection devices (HPDs) among Midwestern construction workers and a national group of plumber/pipefitter trainers. Posttest measures were collected 10-12 months following this intervention. Pender's Health Promotion Model (1987) provided the conceptual basis for development of the training program. A total of 837 high-noise-exposed workers were included in the analysis: 652 regional Midwestern construction workers and 185 national plumber/pipefitter trainers. Effectiveness of the intervention was determined through the sequence of analyses recommended by Braver and Braver (1988) for the Solomon Four-Group Design. Analysis of variance and covariance of postintervention use and intention to use HPDs and a meta-analytic test were done. These analyses indicated that the intervention significantly increased use of HPDs but had no effect on intention to use HPDs in the future. Pretesting had no effect on use. Actual or potential applications of this research include guidance in the development of successful theory-based interventions to increase use of HPDs.

A Trail of Individual Education for Hearing Protection with an Instrument that Measures the Noise Attenuation Effect of Wearing Earplugs

“…Recently, Ariyoshi (2007) reported that the rate of wearing earplugs was 57% among noise-exposed workers 3) . Similar findings are also reported in other countries 4,5) . With regard to the proper use, Ito et al (1994) reported that in many cases earplugs were improperly used 6) .…”

Audiometric thresholds and prevalence of tinnitus among male veterans in the United States: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2006

“…Providing and disseminating education programs to prevent hearing loss nationally should help increase hearing-protection strategies during occupational and recreational activities [23][24][25]. Consistent implementation of hearing protective behaviors by large numbers of individuals in the United States would help reduce the prevalence and severity of hearing loss and tinnitus over time [26][27].…”

A multi-component intervention to promote hearing protector use among construction workers

“…Lusk and colleagues (Lusk et al, 1999b) found that a single one hour training increased HPD use significantly (from 44 to 53% of time) 10-12 months post-training. Dineen and colleagues (Dineen et al, 1998) found that HPD use increased significantly (from 23% to 35%) four months post-training.…”