The influence of children and grandchildren participation in a hearing conservation program for workers exposed to noise

• Grant number: 12/04582-1
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Effective date (Start): July 28, 2012
• Effective date (End): September 27, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Speech Therapy
• Principal researcher: Maria Cecília Marconi Pinheiro Lima
• Grantee: Keila Alessandra Baraldi Knobel
• Supervisor abroad: Deanna K. Meinke
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Research place: University of Northern Colorado (UNC), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 09/15825-0 - Noise induced hearing loss in children: risk perception in scholars, BP.PD

Abstract

Worldwide, 16% of the disabling hearing loss in adults is attributed to occupational noise. Noise exposure, whether occupational or recreational, is the most important preventable cause of hearing loss. To prevent occupational noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration mandates that employers must provide hearing conservation programs for their employees exposed to loud noise levels (e 85 dBA for an eight-hour time-weighted average). However, there are many leisure activities that can also be potentially hazardous to the hearing, such as listening to loud music, firecrackers, carpentry, woodworking, driving noisy recreational vehicles, doing yard work with power tools, playing a musical instrument& And the majority of the noisy recreational activities adults participate in, children and teens may participate in also. We know from previous studies of other health conditions, that parents are an important influence on children's health, but little research has been done in terms of the influence children or families may have on the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of adults in the family. If we involved the workers' children in the occupational hearing safety training (part of a hearing conservation program) we suppose that children would change their behavior towards noise exposure and that they would positively influence their working parents. In addition, the parents may be more likely to model and implement protective behaviors when engaging in noisy activities with their children.Methods1. Selection of 120 workers exposed to loud occupational noise. All of them will receive an informed consent form divided in 3 groups: G1, G2 and G3.2. G1 will participate on an interactive educational presentation (45-60 minutes) for workers and their children or grandchildren (7-15 years old) about the prevention of NIHL based upon the successful Dangerous Decibels" intervention. G2 will have the same presentation, but only for workers. G3 will be a control group.3. Use of questionnaires evaluating baseline, post-presentation and retained knowledge and attitudes about NIHL (1 and 6 months after intervention) for both the workers and the children. 4. Comparison of study and control group using paired T-tests (parametric) and Wilcoxon matched-pairs tests (non-parametric) to determine the immediate and long-term effectiveness of the educational intervention. Notes: 1. The contact with the local industry and the submission of this project to the Ethic Committee of the University of Northern Colorado will be provided by Prof. Deanna Meinke. 2. The 6 months follow-up questionnaire is supposed to be taken in February 2013, next to the most important hearing conservation convention in the USA (NHCA Convention). If the student happens to have approved presentation in this convention and if she is able to go, she may have an active participation also in this part of the study. Otherwise, Prof. Deanna Meinke and her group will collect the data so that it can be analyzed within the period of the student's post-doc program. (AU)