Leisure Noise Exposure and Associated Health-Risk Behavior in Adolescents: An Explanatory Study among Two Different Educational Programs in Flanders

Abstract

Adolescents frequently engage in noisy leisure activities which can result in hearing-related problems. However, the effect of leisure noise exposure is liable to an individual’s risk-taking behavior. Identifying leisure noise activities and relevant factors related to risk-taking behavior in adolescents, are important to optimize hearing conservation programs targeting youngsters. The purpose of the study was to explore the presence of hearing-related symptoms, as well as noise exposure during various activities, and the use of hearing protector devices (HPDs) in adolescents in two educational programs in Flanders. In addition, their attitudes and beliefs towards noise, hearing loss, and HPDs were investigated. The final sample consisted of 247 adolescents. The most important hearing-related symptoms after noise exposure were tinnitus and noise sensitivity. With regard to leisure noise exposure, listening to PMPs was most frequently reported. The use of HPDs during most noisy activities was limited, in accordance with the presence of hearing-related symptoms, considering noise as unproblematic, and having worse scores on subscales of the beliefs about hearing protection and hearing loss scale. In the future, hearing conservation programs should target adolescents specifically for a more health-orientated behavior towards noise exposure, hearing loss, and HPDs.

Identification of Noise Levels for Skill Training Activities, Equipment, Machines and Power Tools at TVET Institutes in Malaysia

“…Since they spend a significant amount of time in educational institutes, uncontrolled noise exposure will cause them to develop premature NIHL symptoms. With a low level of awareness and poor hearing protection practices, the risk of ear damage among them can be high [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. One of the educational institutions in Malaysia that is particularly at risk of exposing students to noise is the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Institution [ 34 , 35 ].…”

New Paradigm of Music Listening: Hearing Protection Perceptions and Treatment Decision‐Making Among Music Venue Attendees

“…One study found although over 70% of cohorts were advised to wear HP, usage rates at concerts ranged from 11.3% to 24.7%. 22 Participants cited discomfort, inconvenience, and poor sound quality as primary reasons for not using HP. 22 Similarly, we found many respondents cited discomfort (25.38%), inconvenience (22.11%), and impact on music quality (32.46%) as reasons for not wearing HP.…”

“…Increasing awareness and education alone, however, may not effectively prevent recreational NIHL. One study found although over 70% of cohorts were advised to wear HP, usage rates at concerts ranged from 11.3% to 24.7% 22 . Participants cited discomfort, inconvenience, and poor sound quality as primary reasons for not using HP 22 .…”

“…9,[17][18][19] Furthermore, the few studies that examined perceptions and behaviors of HP safety among recreational music event attendees focused on small cohorts, specific genres, or specific events. 7,10,19 While prior literature reporting on similar beliefs and perceptions in other populations was used to create our own literatureinspire survey, [20][21][22][23][24] we aimed to characterize the knowledge, behaviors, and perceptions related to HP use among music venue attendees among a large cohort of recreational music venue attendees via an online survey to better promote HP compliance, especially among at-risk populations.…”

Attitudes towards Safe Listening Measures in Entertainment Venues: Results from an International Survey among Young Venue-Goers

“…Less is known about possible individual barriers to the acceptance of such interventions and about how they can be addressed through communication. So far, studies on attitudes and beliefs towards hearing protection have focused mostly on personal listening devices [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ], while only a few studies have investigated factors associated with attitudes towards preventive measures in venues [ 20 ].…”