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Efficacy of a computer-based hearing test and tailored hearing protection intervention

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Abstract

Advances in computer technology and accessibility enable researchers to provide individually tailored interventions for behavioral change. Using multimedia technology, this study developed and tested a computer-based hearing test and a tailored intervention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, using a randomized experimental design, the efficacy of the intervention to increase workers’ use of hearing protection. The tailored intervention developed by the research team showed more significant short-term effect measured immediately after the intervention than the control intervention. For the long-term effect measured 1 year after the intervention, both tailored and control groups showed significant increase in their reported use (7% vs. 6%) from preintervention to postintervention, but no significant difference between the two groups. The change accomplished in this study was small progress toward the desired level of 100% use of hearing protection to prevent noise-induced hearing loss. This finding showed that changing workers’ hearing protection behavior is difficult.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing, University of Michigan, 400 N. Ingalls, Room 3182, 48109-0482, Ann Arbor, Michigan

    OiSaeng Hong, Sally L. Lusk & Gwang-Soog Kee

  2. School of Nursing and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

    David L. Ronis

Authors
  1. OiSaeng Hong
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  2. David L. Ronis
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  3. Sally L. Lusk
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  4. Gwang-Soog Kee
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Correspondence to OiSaeng Hong.

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Hong, O., Ronis, D.L., Lusk, S.L. et al. Efficacy of a computer-based hearing test and tailored hearing protection intervention. Int. J. Behav. Med. 13, 304–314 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327558ijbm1304_5

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