Ravi K. Reddy PhD Candidate, University of Auckland School of Population Health, Tamaki Campus, Auckland. r.reddy@auckland.ac.nz ()P06, Wednesday 26, Ilott Theatre, 11.30)

1. PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE USE OF
HEARING PROTECTION DEVICES AT
WORK
Ravi Reddy
David Welch
Peter Thorne
Shanthi Ameratunga
School of Population Health, University of Auckland
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2. The problem
• Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is a
form of hearing loss
• NIHL = sustained and repeated exposure
to excessive sound levels (>85dBA) 8hrs
• 85dBA (sawing, drilling); 145dBA (aircraft
takeoff/hammering) (Kurmis & Apps, 2007)
• Temporary hearing loss time
Permanent hearing loss
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3. The Problem
• Estimate burden :overall hearing loss
– Average 16% to 25% (Nelson et al., 2005, Thorne et al, 2011)
• Personal and social problems (Noble, 1998)
– Communication difficulties
– Isolation / low self esteem
– Employment issues
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4. The Problem
• Occupations most susceptible to NIHL:
– Mining
– Agriculture
– Manufacturing
– Construction
– Military
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5. Preventive measures
• Primary prevention – engineering and
administrative controls
• Secondary prevention – use of hearing
protection devices (HPDs)
• Improper & inconsistent use of HPD is a
concern to NIHL preventive strategies
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6. Qualitative study
• To understand workers’ perspective on
noise and HPD use
• Semi-structured interviews : 25
manufacturing workers, Auckland
• Key themes emerged.
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7. Ecological Model for Health Promotion
(McLeroy,1988)
• Focus on:
– Personal factors
– Environmental factors
• 5 levels of influence
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8. Ecological Model for Health Promotion
(McLeroy,1988)
POLICY
COMMUNITY
ORGANISATIONAL
INTERPERSONAL
INTRAPERSONAL
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9. Findings: Intrapersonal Level
• Personal Factors
– Acceptance: (noise &HPDs).
– Fear of hearing loss
– Noise annoyance
– Individual choice/attitude.
• Probably habits…It’s like old dog, new tricks sort of thing.
Like my father for instance, builder for years, he’s deaf as a
door post…If only he had worn hearing protection. He never
did, still doesn’t.
• It (wearing HPD’s) really comes down to the own person.
You can’t force it.
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10. Findings: Intrapersonal Level
• Environmental factors:
– Problems with HPD
• Bulky,
• uncomfortable,
• communication problems,
• quality and
• availability.
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11. Findings: Interpersonal Level
• Personal Factors:
– Self-image
• “Some of the guys got, ‘I’m the man’ type of
attitude,... (Macho culture / show of strength)
– Isolation
• You can’t really talk to anybody so you are by
yourself sort of. It makes a long shift.
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12. Findings: Interpersonal Level
• Environmental Factors:
– Peer mentality
• The way I’m thinking they make fun of me.
• Peer modeling
– Family
• I love the sound of my grandkids.
• Maintain quality of life with family members
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13. Findings : Organisational Level
• Environmental factors:
– Enforcement
– Training
– Availability of HPDs
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14. Conclusion
• Factors have been identified at different levels of
the ecological model.
• Personal, Social and Environmental factors.
• At each level, there are supports for and barriers
against HPD use.
• Multi-level interactions
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15. Conclusion
• Findings have helped develop a
questionnaire (data collection tool)
• Questionnaire survey aims to identify
targets for focus groups discussion.
• These processes modeled on the
ecological framework will help develop
targeted interventions
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16. Hearing loss has huge economic
and social consequences
Targeting occupational noise exposure
will help reduce the overall burden of
hearing loss.
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17. Reference
• Kurmis, A. P., & Apps, S. A. (2007). Occupationally-acquired noise-induced hearing loss: a
senseless workplace hazard. International journal of occupational medicine and
environmental health, 20(2), 127-136. doi: 10.2478/v10001-007-0016-2
• Nelson DI, Nelson RY, Concha-Barrientos M, Fingerhut M. The global burden of
occupational noise-induced hearing loss. American Journal of Industrial Medicine.
2005;48(6):446-58.
• Thorne P, John G, Grynevych A, Welch D, Ameratunga S, Stewart J. Modeling the
incidence and prevalence of NIHL in New Zealand. Conference proceedings. International
Commision on the Biological Effects of Noise – ICBEN. London. 2011
• Noble W. Consequences of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Effects Observed in Families.
Acoustics Australia. 1998; 26(2):41-3.
• McLeroy KR, Bibeau D, Steckler A, Glanz K. An ecological perspective on health
promotion programs. Health Education Quarterly. 1988;15(4):351-77.
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18. Thank you
This study is funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand
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