The Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Among Adolescents

The risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) increases with age due to engagement in loud activities and beginning work. Thirty-five students within grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 participated in this 100% online/asynchronous hearing conservation program (HCP) at a New Jersey K-8 public school. This program included a pre-survey, a 27-minute online education, a post-survey, and a 3-month post-survey. Participants were randomized into treatment and control groups. All participants received the surveys. Only the treatment group received the HCP. No significant differences were found between treatment and control groups when comparing knowledge and attitude scores on the pre-, post, and 3-month post-surveys. However, significant differences were found within the post-survey knowledge questions without any significant change in the attitude questions for the treatment group, which indicated that students who participated in the HCP had a positive increase in knowledge of NIHL although their attitudes toward prevention did not change.