A Study on the Korean-Version of the Youth Attitudes toward Noise Scale

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a Korean-version of the Youth Attitudes to Noise Scale (K-YANS) reflecting the primary causes of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL): exposure to loud sounds in noisy places and unsafe listening practices on personal listening devices (PLDs). Methods: We translated the English-version of the YANS, which included 19 question items with four factors and selected four additional items relevant to youth's listening practices on PLDs. A total of 321 Korean college students completed an online survey on the K-YANS. We conducted confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis, content validity measurement, and Pearson's correlation coefficient to measure the validity of the items; and Cronbach's alpha coefficient to measure the reliability. Additionally, we conducted multiple linear regressions to examine the effects of age and gender on attitudes toward noise. Results: A series of factor analyses led to the final version of the K-YANS of 16 items with three factors. The content validity of the items was .87. All three factors had a positive linear relationship with the entire YANS with Factor 1 having the highest Pearson's correlation coefficient (.78). Cronbach's alpha coefficient for all 16 items was .73. The results of multiple linear regressions showed a significant effect of gender but not a significant effect of age on attitudes toward noise. Conclusion: The K-YANS is a valid and reliable self-report measure that can be used to assess NIHL and promote safe listening practices in young adults.

Relationships between Hearing Symptoms, Attitudes toward Noise, and Use of Hearing Protection among College Students

“…The third section of the survey asked the participants a question about the use of hearing protection. The last section focused on the K-YANS (Han & Kim, 2020).…”

“…Results demonstrated that the association between having experience with at least one hearing symptom and a negative attitude toward noise would lead to hearing protection use because the noise produced in those activities is widely considered harmful and the use of hearing protection is taken into consideration. These findings suggest the importance of socio-cultural contexts in evaluating college students' attitudes toward noise (Han & Kim, 2020;Widén et al, 2009) because these contexts can influence their use of hearing protection and even hearing status. For example, Keppler et al (2015) study with young adults in Belgium found that college students with a negative attitude toward noise had significantly less hearing loss and used hearing protection devices more frequently than those who had positive attitudes, indicating that college students who don't perceive noise as problematic tend to use hearing protection with less frequency and already have a more deteriorated hearing status.…”