TY - JOUR
T1 - Identifying targets for interventions to increase uptake and use of hearing protection in noisy recreational settings
AU - Loughran, Michael
AU - Plack, Chris
AU - Armitage, Christopher J.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Interventions to increase hearing protection behaviours within noisy recreational settings are limited by the lack of an underpinning evidence base. The aim of the present study was to identify targets for interventions in a population exposed to recreational noise, including those who had used hearing protection (ever-performers) versus those who had not (never-performers). A cross-sectional survey was administered to 185 UK adults who had been involved in noisy recreational activities. Participants had an average age of 36.79 years, a majority were women (68.1%), from a white ethic background (87.6%), and with non-manual occupations (75.7%). Using chi-square, MANOVA and ANOVA we looked for differences in sociodemographic variables and variables from the capabilities, opportunities and motivations model of behaviour change (COM-B) between ever- and never-performers. Ever-performers were more likely to be younger (p<.050), men (p<.050), and in a manual occupation (p<.050) compared to never-performers. Although the two groups felt capable and reported similar opportunities to use hearing protection, never-performers lacked automatic motivation (p<.001) and reflective motivation (p<.001) compared to ever-performers. For the first time, the present study identifies potential groups at whom hearing protection interventions might be targeted and what those interventions may contain. Further work is required to develop interventions targeted at older people, women and those in non-manual occupations. Lack of motivation is a key concern and further work that uses specific theoretical frameworks such as the PRIME (Plans, Responses, Impulses, Motives, and Evaluations) theory of motivation, may shed light on the kinds of interventions that are needed to boost hearing protection use effectively.
AB - Interventions to increase hearing protection behaviours within noisy recreational settings are limited by the lack of an underpinning evidence base. The aim of the present study was to identify targets for interventions in a population exposed to recreational noise, including those who had used hearing protection (ever-performers) versus those who had not (never-performers). A cross-sectional survey was administered to 185 UK adults who had been involved in noisy recreational activities. Participants had an average age of 36.79 years, a majority were women (68.1%), from a white ethic background (87.6%), and with non-manual occupations (75.7%). Using chi-square, MANOVA and ANOVA we looked for differences in sociodemographic variables and variables from the capabilities, opportunities and motivations model of behaviour change (COM-B) between ever- and never-performers. Ever-performers were more likely to be younger (p<.050), men (p<.050), and in a manual occupation (p<.050) compared to never-performers. Although the two groups felt capable and reported similar opportunities to use hearing protection, never-performers lacked automatic motivation (p<.001) and reflective motivation (p<.001) compared to ever-performers. For the first time, the present study identifies potential groups at whom hearing protection interventions might be targeted and what those interventions may contain. Further work is required to develop interventions targeted at older people, women and those in non-manual occupations. Lack of motivation is a key concern and further work that uses specific theoretical frameworks such as the PRIME (Plans, Responses, Impulses, Motives, and Evaluations) theory of motivation, may shed light on the kinds of interventions that are needed to boost hearing protection use effectively.
KW - Hearing prevention
KW - hearing protection interventions
KW - hearing conservation
KW - hearing protection behaviour
KW - behaviour change
KW - recreational noise
KW - recreational noise-induced hearing loss
KW - COM-B
M3 - Article
SN - 1660-4601
JO - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
JF - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
ER -