Noise and hearing conservation: Young adults’ habits, knowledge, and attitudes.

Abstract

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), approximately 28 million individuals in the United States suffer from significant hearing loss. More than one-third of those losses are attributable to noise exposure [Lankford, Hearing Instruments 41(10), 6 (1990)]. Between 1971 and 1985, the number of persons aged 35–44 years suffering from hearing loss increased from approximately 55 to 85 per thousand−a larger increase than for the 45–54 or 65 year old and older age group. Two hundred young adults, ages 14 to 38 years, were surveyed via a 20-item questionnaire concerning their habits pertaining to, knowledge of, and attitudes toward noise and hearing conservation. Results indicated that the majority of young adults participated in activities exposing them to excessive noise levels at least twice a week and for several hours in duration for each activity. Further, the large majority reported at least one incident of having symptoms (e.g., tinnitus) of overexposure to noise resulting from those activities. Although the large majority demonstrated basic knowledge about the effects of noise on hearing, most had deficiencies in their knowledge of the effectiveness of hearing protection devices (HPDs) and would feel self-conscious in using them or taking other measures to circumvent noise-induced hearing loss.