Background: In the United States it is estimated that more
than 30 million workers are exposed to harmful levels of
noise on the job. When engineering or administrative controls
cannot be used to reduce noise, workers should always
use hearing protection devices (HPDs) when exposed to
loud noise to prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
Previous research has shown that workers do not always
use HPDs when required; therefore, it is essential that workers
assume personal responsibility for preventing NIHL by
increasing their use of HPDs.
Objectives: This study tested the effectiveness of an individually
tailored multimedia intervention to increase use of HPDs
by factory workers.
Methods: A randomized controlled design was used to compare
the effects of a tailored intervention (n = 446) with two
other interventions (a nontailored predictor-based intervention
(n = 447) and a control intervention (n = 432)) on workers’
self-reported use of HPDs 6 to 18 months following the
intervention.
Results: Only those workers receiving the tailored intervention
significantly increased their use of HPDs from pretest to
posttest. However, this increase significantly differed from
the nontailored group but not from the control group.
Conclusions: Individually-tailored interventions offer promise
for changing behavior. In light of the similarity between the
results for the tailored intervention and the control intervention
groups, further research is needed to understand barriers
to HPD use and how to maximize the benefits of individually
tailored interventions in this setting.
Key Words: health education hearing protection noiseinduced
hearing loss occupational health tailored
intervention