Noise Exposure and Use of Hearing Protection Among Adolescents in Rural Areas

Abstract

Purpose: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) has been found in rural children, potentially due to occupational and recreational noise exposure without consistent use of hearing protection devices (HPDs). However, questions remain regarding the specifics of rural adolescents' noise exposure and use of hearing protection around different types of noise. As such, the purpose of the current study was to provide preliminary results on rural adolescents' noise exposure and use of hearing protection for gunfire, heavy machinery, power tools, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and music. Method: A questionnaire was administered to 197 students (seventh to 12th grade) from rural schools in West Texas. Questions were related to noise exposure and use of HPDs for specific categories of noise. Testing was performed at the schools, with an investigator recording each student's responses. Results: Approximately 18%–44% of adolescents reported exposure 12 or more times a year to gunfire, heavy machinery, power tools, and ATVs. Only 1%–18% of the adolescents reported never being exposed to such noise sources. Almost half of rural adolescents never used hearing protection around gunfire, and 77%–91% reported never wearing hearing protection when exposed to heavy machinery, power tools, and ATVs. Conclusions: The current study revealed that rural adolescents are exposed to noise sources that could damage their hearing. However, the majority of rural adolescents do not consistently wear hearing protection. Additional research is now needed to extend these findings by assessing rural adolescents' duration of exposure to different noise sources, in addition to investigating prevention of NIHL in this population. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.17139335

Extended high-frequency hearing loss among Afro-Colombian adolescents from a rural area in Colombia: a cross-sectional study

“…The clinical questionnaire was designed by the authors based on previously reported risk factors for hearing loss. 410 43 45 The clinical questionnaire included questions about childbirth mode (caesarean vs vaginal delivery); breast feeding in infancy (yes/no); moderate alcohol consumption (defined as more than two times a week: consumption of two drinks per day of one beer (350 mL, 4.5% alcohol) or one glass of wine (148 mL, 12%–16% alcohol) or more than two shots of Colombian schnapps (90 mL, 30% alcohol)); 46 cigarette smoking (more than 1–5 days per month); 43 high volume use of recreational headphones or personal devices for more than 2 hours per day; 44 duration of recreational headphones or personal devices in hours; 44 number of times attending ‘picó’ (a social gathering event that exceeds 120 dB (A)); number of times attending a bar/pub/disco in the last month; exposure to loud environmental noises at home (traffic, building constructions near home); number of hours of exposure to high volumes of noise; 45 prior self-reported hearing difficulties or hearing loss; previous hearing loss-related noises: ringing, whistling, clicking, roaring (tinnitus); 47 constantly telling people to repeat messages or to speak louder to understand what they say; concentration difficulties due to noise. 48 Finally, height and weight were directly measured by the medical doctors following clinical guidelines to ensure the accuracy and reliability of childhood growth measurement equipment and using previously calibrated weights and rods.…”