Evaluation of a Point Source Intervention for Preventing Hearing Loss on Farmers’ Attitudes and Beliefs:A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Highlights About 30% of farmers had moderate or worse hearing in at least one ear for frequencies between 2000 and 6000 Hertz. Improvements in perceptions were observed by increased HBM concept scores for barriers related to comfort and communication, self-efficacy, and hearing protection benefits. Older farmers had higher HBM concept scores for barriers related to communication and the benefits of hearing protection compared to younger farmers. The point source intervention contributed to the effect of education in improving farmers’ HBM concept scores for comfort and self-efficacy. Abstract. Objectives: Hearing protection devices (HPDs) can effectively prevent hearing loss. However, they are not widely used by farmers. This study assessed factors influencing farmers’ perceptions about hearing protection and evaluated if a point source hearing protection intervention changed these perceptions over time. Methods: Intervention farmers (n=53) received education and the point source intervention (storing HPDs near major noise sources). Control farmers (n=36) received education only. Annually, for nearly four years, farmers from both groups were asked to complete a questionnaire about their perceptions of hearing protection. Results: During the multi-year study, both intervention and control farmers' perceptions about hearing protection improved. Perceptions about barriers related to comfort were better for intervention farms (p=0.007) and for farmers that participated in the study longer (p<0.001). Perceptions about self-efficacy were also better for intervention farms (p=0.001) and for farmers that participated in the study longer (p<0.001). Age was associated with better perceptions about the benefits of hearing protection (p=0.011). Perceptions about communication barriers improved for all farmers as the study advanced (p=0.002) and for farmers that were older (p=0.006). Conclusion: Intervention and control groups improved their perceptions of hearing protection over time. The point source intervention contributed to the effect of education on farmers’ perceptions of comfort and self-efficacy but not to perceptions related to communication barriers or the benefits of hearing protection. Keywords: Agriculture, Farmer, Hearing; Noise, Personal protective equipment.