Abstract:
The nightclub industry is a big contributor to the prevalence of Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). Ample research has shown the effectiveness of hearing conservation programmes in increasing children, industrial workers and most importantly, young adults knowledge, attitudes and behaviour towards hearing health and hearing protection (Beach, Williams, & Gilliver, 2010b; Griest, Folmer, & Martin, 2007; Reddy., 2012). However, there has been limited success in this area especially in New Zealand (Fremaux, 2013). This study investigated whether hearing education training would be effective in changing nightclub employees’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards hearing conservation. In addition, this study also identifies and addresses the main supports and barriers towards earplug usage. The training was established from a pre-existing intervention developed for 8 to 12 year-old children known as “Dangerous Decibels”. There were a total of 20 participants, who were split equally into groups of five by their different job title; Bouncers, Disc Jockeys, Bartenders and Policemen. All the participants completed the three assessments, immediately before training, one week after the training and three months post-training. They completed the same questionnaire evaluating their knowledge, attitude and behaviour towards hearing protection for each assessment. Furthermore, they were asked to identify their main supports and barriers towards hearing protection usage. There was a significant increase in the participants’ knowledge at both follow up assessments, regardless of the job type. There was also a significant improvement in attitudes towards hearing protection. However results did show an interaction between job title and time. Although results showed a positive trend in the behaviour, it was not significant, nor did this vary between jobs. There was a significant increase in barriers. Hence leading to an overall increase in supports fraction. Supports fraction is a representative of the relative pressure to protect ones ears or not protect them in noise as it is the number of supports over the number of supports and barriers Overall this study showed that this adapted version of Dangerous Decibels was a successful hearing conservation programme for nightclub employees. The participants were able to retain knowledge and improve their attitudes towards hearing health and hearing protection. However, actual hearing protection behaviour such as acceptance of using earplugs was more challenging. Results suggest that there are multiple reasons to why nightclub workers chose not to use earplugs. Future research should investigate ways to effectively address and eliminate these barriers associated with nightclub employees accepting Hearing Protection Devices (HPD).