Towards a Holistic Model Explaining Hearing Protection Device Use among Workers

Abstract

Offering hearing protection devices (HPDs) to workers exposed to hazardous noise is a noise control strategy often used to prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). However, HPDs are used incorrectly and inconsistently, which explains their limited efficiency. Numerous models based on social cognition theories identify the significant factors associated with inconsistent HPD use and aim to improve HPD training programs and to increase HPD use. However, these models do not detail (dis)comfort aspects originating from complex interactions between characteristics of the triad “environment/person/HPD” while these aspects are known to largely influence HPD (mis)use. This paper proposes a holistic model explaining HPD (mis)use, based on the integration of a comfort model adapted to HPDs into an existing behavioral model already developed for HPDs. The model also takes into account the temporal dimension, which makes it possible to capture the scope of change in HPD-related health behaviors. This holistic description of HPD use could be used as a tool for stakeholders involved in HPD use to effectively prevent NIHL among workers.

Morphologic clustering of earcanals using deep learning algorithm to design artificial ears dedicated to earplug attenuation measurement

“…The histograms of PAR data are plotted in FIG. 3 education, type and frequency of training…) (Doutres et al, 2022). It is therefore reasonable to hypothesize that the inter-individual variability observed in the PARs measured is mainly induced by the differences in the morphology of the earcanals (this hypothesis is checked during the step 0 presented in the next subsection).…”

“…By considering both the fitting training process (similar for all participants) and the relatively high PAR values displayed onFIG. 3 (i.e., usually greatly superior to NRR/2 , see section III.A for more details), the research team hypothesized that participants inserted their earplugs correctly so that the inter-individual variability in measured PARs can be mostly primarily attributed to differences in earcanals' morphology and not to other sources of variability related to the psychosocial characteristics of the participant and of his/her work environment(Doutres et al, 2022) (ex., education, gender, support from family /colleagues, type of…”

Development and initial validation of questionnaire on predictors for the use of hearing protection devices among noise exposed manufacturing workers in Tanzania: A methodological study

“…We additionally equipped our questionnaire with individual (modifying) factors that have been found to influence HPDs use at workplace ( 14 , 17 , 20 , 26 , 32 , 35 , 36 ). Such factors include socio-demographic factors that formed a separate dimension.…”

“…However, the use of HPDs is occasionally observed during workplace site visit and during pre-informed or planned legislative compliance follow-ups. The implementation of such intervention has been, in most cases, tied-up with behavioral models and theories such as the Health Promotion Model, the Health Belief Model, Theory of Planned Behavior and Theory of reasoned Action that can best predict human behavior toward the use of HPDs at work ( 17 ). Previously, we documented workers in manufacturing factories such as iron and steel working in high noise environment exceeding the occupational exposure limit of 85 dB(A) without using HPDs ( 1 ).…”

“…Although various health behavior models have been established and tried out to predict human behavior with regard to the use of HPDs among noise exposed workers ( 17 , 20 – 23 ), the purpose of each model has been to develop the most optimal tool that would best predict the likelihood of the use of HPDs among individual workers while working in high noise levels ( 17 , 23 ), thereby establish and implement effective intervention on HPDs use at a particular workplace. However, it has been always problematic for the researchers to develop and align questionnaires between one existing model or theory with the existing environment in manufacturing factories ( 24 ).…”