Elizabeth Beach

Leisure noise exposure: Participation trends, symptoms of hearing damage, and perception of risk

Abstract Objective: Leisure activities that emit high noise levels have the potential to expose participants to excessive noise exposure, which can result in hearing damage. This study investigated young peoples participation in high-noise leisure activities and the relationship between their leisure noise exposure, symptoms of hearing damage, and perception of risk. Design: Participants completed an online survey relating to participation in selected high-noise leisure activities, symptoms of hearing damage, and beliefs about the risk posed by these activities. Study sample: One thousand 18- to 35-year-old Australian adults completed the survey. Results: Annual noise exposure from the five leisure activities ranged from 0–6.77 times the acceptable noise exposure, with nightclubs posing the greatest risk. Those who attended one noisy activity were more likely to attend others, in particular nightclubs, pubs, and live music events. Noise exposure was correlated with early warning signs of hearing damage and perceived risk of damage. Conclusions: Active young adults who engage in noisy activities are showing early signs of hearing damage. Furthermore, they perceive the risk associated with their activities. The challenge for researchers and hearing health practitioners is to convert self-perceived risk into positive hearing health behaviours for long-term hearing health.

Estimating young Australian adults’ risk of hearing damage from selected leisure activities

Objective: Several previous studies have attempted to estimate the risk of noise-induced hearing loss from loud leisure noise. Some of these studies may have overestimated the risk because they used noise estimates taken from the higher end of reported levels. The aim of the present study was to provide a realistic estimate of the number of young Australian adults who may be at risk of hearing damage and eventual hearing loss from leisure-noise exposure. Design: Average noise levels at five high-noise leisure activities, (1) nightclubs; (2) pubs, bars, and registered clubs; (3) fitness classes; (4) live sporting events; (5) concerts and live music venues, were calculated using 108 measurements taken from a large database of leisure noise measurements. In addition, an online survey was administered to a convenience sample of 1000 young adults aged 18 to 35 years, who reported the time spent at these leisure activities and the frequency with which they undertook the activities. They also answered questions about tinnitus and their perceived risk of hearing damage. Although the survey data cannot be considered representative of the population of young Australian adults, it was weighted to this population in respect of age, gender, education, and location. The survey data and the average noise levels were used to estimate each individual’s annual noise exposure, and in turn, estimate those at risk of hearing damage from leisure-noise exposure. Results: For the majority of participants (n = 868), the accumulated leisure noise level was within the acceptable workplace limit. However, 132 participants or 14.1% (population weighted) were exposed to an annual noise dose greater than the acceptable workplace noise limit. By far, the main source of high-risk leisure noise was from nightclubs. Those with more leisure-noise exposure experienced more tinnitus and perceived themselves to be more at risk than those with lower noise exposures. Conclusions: It is recommended that nightclub operators reduce noise levels, display warnings, and provide earplugs for patrons and employees. Health promoters should focus their attention on those young adults who are most at risk and provide them with targeted practical advice about reducing their leisure-noise exposure and avoiding hearing loss.

A Qualitative Study of Earplug Use as a Health Behavior: The Role of Noise Injury Symptoms, Self-efficacy and an Affinity for Music

The use of earplugs in loud music venues is confined to a small minority who wish to avoid hearing damage from excessive noise exposure. Using the framework of the health belief model (HBM), structured interviews were held with 20 earplug-wearing clubbers. Qualitative analysis revealed the HBM constructs relevant to understanding this group’s motivation to protect their hearing. Personal experience of noise injury symptoms was the most common cue triggering earplug use. Awareness of the benefits of earplugs and appreciation of the long-term implications of hearing damage, affinity for music and high self-efficacy were also key variables underlying this health behaviour.

Noise with attitude: influences on young people's decisions to protect their hearing.

Abstract Abstract Objective: To investigate young peoples experiences and attitudes towards hearing health and their participation in noise reduction behaviours, to better understand how education and prevention messages may be better targeted. Design: An online survey was used to investigate participants’ own hearing health, their engagement with noise reduction behaviour, and their beliefs about hearing health and the risk posed by leisure activities. Study sample: Results are presented for 1000 Australian young adults (18–35 years). Results: Most participants reported current good hearing health, although over a fifth showed possible early warning signs of damage. Approximately half of participants took steps to reduce their noise exposure. However, preventative action was not related to hearing loss symptomology, or perceived personal risk of noise-related damage. Participants’ engagement with hearing health was related to beliefs about the risk posed by leisure noise, hearing health awareness, and the importance of hearing. Conclusions: There is a need to further educate young people about the risks posed to hearing by leisure activity participation and factors that may assist improve hearing health. It is important that hearing health messages move past the traditional emphasis on knowledge, and move towards the use of more personalized motivators of noise reduction behaviour.

The objective-subjective assessment of noise: young adults can estimate loudness of events and lifestyle noise.

Objective: The aim of the study was to establish whether individuals can subjectively estimate: (1) the loudness of events with respect to the objectively measured noise level; and (2) the overall loudness of their daily noise exposure level. Design: Participants wore personal noise exposure meters for up to five days. During this time, participants kept diaries of daily events and estimated the loudness of these events and their overall noise exposure using 1-to-10 rating scales. Study sample: A group of 45 volunteers aged between 18 and 35 years participated in the study. Results: 86% of participants’ subjective estimates were significantly correlated with the objective noise measurements. Multiple regression showed that age, overall lifestyle noise, and diary quality were predictors of the strength of correlation observed. In addition participants’ subjective estimates of their overall noise exposure were significantly correlated with their actual average daily noise exposure. Conclusions: Results suggest that individuals can make a reasonable estimate of the loudness of events they experience and the overall level of noise they experience. These results may have significant influence for those interested in producing effective hearing health awareness programs in that individuals may be capable of assessing their own degree of hazard exposure.

Changing beliefs about leisure noise: using health promotion models to investigate young people's engagement with, and attitudes towards, hearing health.

Abstract Objective: To investigate factors influencing young peoples motivation to reduce their leisure noise exposure, and protect their hearing health. Design: Questionnaires were conducted online to investigate young peoples hearing health attitudes and behaviour. Items were developed using an integrated health promotion approach. The stage of change model was used to group participants in relation to their engagement with noise reduction behaviour. The health belief model was used to compare each groups perceptions of susceptibility and severity of hearing loss, as well as the benefits and barriers to noise reduction. Study sample: Results are presented for 1196 young Australians aged between 18 and 35 years. Results: Participants’ engagement with noise reduction behaviour was used to assign them to stage of change groupings: Maintenance (11%), Action (28%), Contemplation (14%), or Pre-contemplation (43%). Each groups responses to health belief model items highlighted key differences across the different stages of engagement. Conclusions: Future hearing health promotion may benefit from tailoring intervention activities to best suit the stage of change of individuals. Different information may be useful at each stage to best support and motivate young people to look after their hearing health.

Auditory, cognitive, and linguistic processing skills in individuals with hearing loss

Hearing impairment affects a person’s ability to communicate effectively. People with hearing loss (HL) report difficulty communicating in noise, even when the HL is compensated by conventional amplification. This study aims to investigate factors that contribute to understanding speech in noise. Nine adults with HL and nine controls participated in the study. The test-battery include auditory, cognitive and linguistic tests. For the HL group, auditory stimuli were filtered with NAL-RP prescription to compensate for their HL. Results indicate a significant difference in performance between the groups on the Modulation Detection Threshold (MDT) test [F (1, 15) = 3.24, p =0.04] and the speech recognition in noise test [f (1, 15) = 25.6, p<0.001]. HL group performed better on the MDT and poorer at recognising speech in noise possibly due to broadening of auditory filters. With the broadened auditory filters in mind, this result supports the fact that they would have poor frequency specificity, detrimental for speech recognition. HL group performed better than the control group on the cognitive spare capacity test [f (1, 15) = 4.72, p= 0.04]. Preliminary data suggests that adults with HL may compensate for hearing-related difficulties in certain situations by using their cognitive skills.Hearing impairment affects a person’s ability to communicate effectively. People with hearing loss (HL) report difficulty communicating in noise, even when the HL is compensated by conventional amplification. This study aims to investigate factors that contribute to understanding speech in noise. Nine adults with HL and nine controls participated in the study. The test-battery include auditory, cognitive and linguistic tests. For the HL group, auditory stimuli were filtered with NAL-RP prescription to compensate for their HL. Results indicate a significant difference in performance between the groups on the Modulation Detection Threshold (MDT) test [F (1, 15) = 3.24, p =0.04] and the speech recognition in noise test [f (1, 15) = 25.6, p<0.001]. HL group performed better on the MDT and poorer at recognising speech in noise possibly due to broadening of auditory filters. With the broadened auditory filters in mind, this result supports the fact that they would have poor frequency specificity, detrimental fo...

Caring for musicians’ ears: Insights from audiologists and manufacturers reveal need for evidence-based guidelines

Abstract Objective: This study investigated clinical care delivered to musicians in Australia by audiologists and manufacturers of musicians’ hearing protectors (MHP). Design: Audiologists with experience treating musicians were invited to complete a survey on their service delivery. A second survey was administered to manufacturers of MHPs. Study sample: Four manufacturers of MHP and 31 audiologists completed the surveys. Post hoc analyses were performed comparing the responses of audiologists with more versus less clinical experience; and those with and without musical training. Results: There was considerable variation in the audiological care provided to musicians. Only one-third of audiologists performed pure-tone audiometry prior to MHP fitting, and there was little consistency across the sample in relation to impression taking, preferred attenuation or selection of canal length. There was also significant variation in the manufacturers’ approach to MHP, each of whom provided different recommendations regarding preferred impression techniques and material viscosity. Conclusions: The results of this study reveal lack of consistency across the hearing healthcare sector with respect to care of musicians’ hearing, with potential to impact upon the satisfaction with, and usage of, MHP. There is need for evidence-based, best practice guidelines and training to support clinical audiologists in providing optimal care.

Hearing protection devices: Use at work predicts use at play

ABSTRACT Use of hearing protection devices (HPDs) at work is widespread and well researched, but less is known about HPD use in high-noise leisure activities. We investigated HPD use of 8,144 Australians in leisure settings. An online survey asked questions about HPD use at work and leisure and examined whether age, gender, HPD use at work, and tinnitus predicted HPD use in leisure activities. Leisure-based HPD use was most common during high-risk work-related activities. Use of HPDs at work was the most significant predictor of leisure-based use, with workplace users up to 5 times more likely to use HPDs at leisure. Men were significantly more likely than women to use HPDs in 10/20 leisure activities, and those with tinnitus were more likely than those without to use HPDs in 8/20 activities. Older participants were more likely to use HPDs at nightclubs and concerts, but younger participants were more likely to use HPDs playing e-games and musical instruments.

Modified spectral tilt affects infants' native-language discrimination of approximants and vowels.

This studys aim was to determine if 6- and 9-month-old infants discriminate approximants and vowels when the spectral shape is modified to emphasize high- or low-frequency information. Infants were presented with /r/-/l/ and /ɔ/-/ɐ/ in three conditions: (a) unmodified; (b) -6 dB/octave tilt; and (c) +6 dB/octave tilt. Six-month-olds discriminated /ɔ/-/ɐ/ in conditions (a) and (b), and /r/-/l/ in conditions (a) and (c), but 9-month-olds only discriminated when unmodified. The results reflect native-language attunement. Six-month-olds discriminate spectrally modified sounds that emphasize relevant cues, but by 9 months, infants are sensitive to the native spectral profiles of speech.