Noise Exposure Questionnaire: A Tool for Quantifying Annual Noise Exposure

Abstract

Background Exposure to both occupational and non-occupational noise is recognized as a risk factor for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Although audiologists routinely inquire regarding history of noise exposure, there are limited tools available for quantifying this history or for identifying those individuals who are at highest risk for NIHL. Identifying those at highest risk would allow hearing conservation activities to be focused on those individuals. Purpose To develop a detailed, task-based questionnaire for quantifying an individual’s annual noise exposure arising from both occupational and non-occupational sources (aim 1) and to develop a short screening tool that could be used to identify individuals at high risk of NIHL (aim 2). Research Design Review of relevant literature for questionnaire development followed by a cross-sectional descriptive and correlational investigation of the newly developed questionnaire and screening tool. Study Sample One hundred fourteen college freshmen completed the detailed questionnaire for estimating annual noise exposure (aim 1) and answered the potential screening questions (aim 2). An additional 59 adults participated in data collection where the accuracy of the screening tool was evaluated (aim 2). Data Collection and Analysis In study aim 1, all subjects completed the detailed questionnaire and the potential screening questions. Descriptive statistics were used to quantify subject participation in various noisy activities and their associated annual noise exposure estimates. In study aim 2, linear regression techniques were used to identify screening questions that could be used to predict a subject’s estimated annual noise exposure. Clinical decision theory was then used to assess the accuracy with which the screening tool predicted high and low risk of NIHL in a new group of subjects. Results Responses on the detailed questionnaire indicated that our sample of college freshmen reported high rates of participation in a variety of occupational and non-occupational activities associated with high sound levels. Although participation rates were high, annual noise exposure estimates were below highest-risk levels for many subjects because the frequency of participation in these activities was low in many cases. These data illustrate how the Noise Exposure Questionnaire (NEQ) could be used to provide detailed and specific information regarding an individual’s exposure to noise. The results of aim 2 suggest that the screening tool, the 1-Minute Noise Screen, can be used to identify those subjects with high- and low-risk noise exposure, allowing more in-depth assessment of noise exposure history to be targeted at those most at risk. Conclusions The NEQ can be used to estimate an individual’s annual noise exposure and the 1-Minute Noise Screen can be used to identify those subjects at highest risk of NIHL. These tools allow audiologists to focus hearing conservation efforts on those individuals who are most in need of those services.

Can Self-Reported Personal Audio System Volume Predict Actual Listening Levels in Young Adults?

“…A screening score of $5 yielded a sensitivity value of 91.7% and a specificity value of 83.0%; a score that achieved the most balanced values for sensitivity and specificity. The combination of results from Johnson et al (2017) and the present study is important in that there are questions that can be used to identify potentially higher listening levels in young adults from a more transient perspective and questions that be used to identify more cumulative risk exposure.…”

“…In a recent, well-designed study by Johnson et al (2017), a subset of participants completed an 11-item questionnaire to estimate their annual noise exposure (ANE) in both occupational and nonoccupational settings. One aim of this study was to develop a 1-min noise-screening questionnaire to accurately predict ANE.…”

Hidden Hearing Loss? No Effect of Common Recreational Noise Exposure on Cochlear Nerve Response Amplitude in Humans

“…This questionnaire, expanded from a similar survey developed by Neitzel et al ( 2004 ), assesses the self-reported frequency of previous exposures to various noisy activities (e.g., concerts, motorcycles, power tools, firearm use, etc.). From these responses, the total noise exposure within the previous year is calculated (for detailed procedures, see Megerson, 2010 ; Johnson et al, 2017 ). In brief, each activity is assigned an Exposure Level (EL) based on measured sound levels in previously reported literature.…”

The Noise Exposure Structured Interview (NESI): An Instrument for the Comprehensive Estimation of Lifetime Noise Exposure

“…Three basic approaches to the quantification of sound level are employed in existing self-report measures of noise exposure: No consideration of sound level; all exposure activities are weighted equally (e.g., Liberman et al., 2016; Moore et al., 2017 ). Sound level is estimated for each exposure activity using databases of sound level measurements (e.g., Bramhall et al., 2017 ; Johnson et al., 2017 ; Yeend et al., 2017 ). Sound level is estimated by the participant, based on communication difficulty (e.g., Guest et al., 2017 ; Jokitulppo et al., 2006 ; Keppler, Dhooge, & Vinck, 2015 ; Lutman et al., 2008 ).…”

“…Sound level is estimated for each exposure activity using databases of sound level measurements (e.g., Bramhall et al., 2017 ; Johnson et al., 2017 ; Yeend et al., 2017 ).…”