School Nurses' Role in Identifying and Referring Children at Risk of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Abstract

Young people are likely to experience noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), as the use of personal listening devices and other damaging factors (e.g., video games) increases. Little research has examined the role of school health personnel in the prevention and early identification of hearing impairment. A 32-item, valid and reliable survey was developed regarding elementary and middle school nurses' practices concerning hearing loss screening and prevention. The survey instrument was based on the Stages of Change theory and the Health Belief Model. A random sample of 800 nurses was obtained from The National Association of School Nurses. A two-wave mailing was used to achieve a 58% response rate. Forty eight percent indicated there were not many educational programs that addressed NIHL in students. Performing hearing screenings routinely can help identify those students at risk. School nurses need to become advocates for policies and programs that mandate hearing screenings and educational programs to help reduce hearing loss.

Knowledge of Hearing Loss among University Students Pursuing Careers in Health Care

“…A s the US population rapidly ages, health professionals must be equipped with the skills needed to identify and manage hearing loss, as well as to provide preventative education. In addition, the incidence of preventable hearing loss caused by noise exposure is increasing among children because of increased use of personal audio devices, including smartphones (Hendershot et al, 2011;HLAA, 2015).…”

“…A 28-item online survey regarding hearing loss, screening, and prevention was adapted from a previously published instrument that explored school nurses' knowledge and practice related to hearing loss (Hendershot et al, 2011). The survey was designed to assess the current status of knowledge and skill among preprofessional health-care students.…”

“…The survey used was adapted from a previously published instrument that explored school nurses' knowledge and practice related to hearing loss (Hendershot et al, 2011). Actual focus groups with health-care providers were not used to develop and select items for the survey.…”

“…What is particularly troubling is that the incidence of hearing loss (Schoenborn and Heyman, 2008;Shargorodsky et al, 2010) and the frequency of health, psychosocial, and learning problems (e.g., attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and expressive and receptive language concerns) associated with hearing loss (Kochkin and Rogin, 2000;Pittman et al, 2009;Daud et al, 2010;Hogan et al, 2011;Lin et al, 2011) are increasing among Americans. Despite mounting concerns, relatively few school-aged children and adults are screened or evaluated routinely for hearing loss (Davis et al, 2007;Hendershot et al, 2011). For example, ,12% of physicians screen hearing (Kochkin, 2005) or refer for hearing evaluations routinely (Cohen et al, 2005).…”

“…For example, ,12% of physicians screen hearing (Kochkin, 2005) or refer for hearing evaluations routinely (Cohen et al, 2005). School nurses report that most school-age students are not screened past ninth grade (Hendershot et al, 2011), which is becoming increasingly important as the incidence of noise-induced hearing loss has increased in prevalence among those ranging in age between 6 and 19 years old from 14.9% to 19.5% (Shargorodsky et al, 2010).…”