Attitudes, risk behaviour and noise exposure among young adults with hearing problems: identifying a typology

This study explored attitudes towards leisure noise and use of hearing protection, and perceived susceptibility to leisure noise damage in young adults with hearing problems. Twelve participants aged between 18 and 35 years took part in a semi-structured interview. Data were analysed using Framework...

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Main Author: Hunter, Abby
Format: Article
Published: Thieme Publishing 2017
Subjects:
Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/44730/
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author Hunter, Abby
author_facet Hunter, Abby
author_sort Hunter, Abby
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
collection Online Access
description This study explored attitudes towards leisure noise and use of hearing protection, and perceived susceptibility to leisure noise damage in young adults with hearing problems. Twelve participants aged between 18 and 35 years took part in a semi-structured interview. Data were analysed using Framework Analysis. The results showed a positive attitude to noise and a passion for loud music, along with a lack of knowledge of the consequences of noise damage; and perceived low risk of hearing problems were associated with people not using earplugs. The aesthetics, comfort, perceived effects on music quality; and attitude of others were all barriers to earplug use. Of those who had used earplugs, previous hearing-related symptoms and concern about future hearing damage were the main motivators for use. Four types of people were identified to describe the variation in attitudes and behaviours: There were those who had no change in behaviour or concern about damage; those who were concerned and used earplugs; those who were concerned and avoided loud venues; and those who were concerned about communication difficulties only. Considering the wide variability, it may be more effective to shift attention from trying to change individual attitudes and behaviours, to considering systemic changes to protect hearing, through ensuring the music industry and relevant authorities take greater responsibility.
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spelling nottingham-447302020-05-04T19:12:08Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/44730/ Attitudes, risk behaviour and noise exposure among young adults with hearing problems: identifying a typology Hunter, Abby This study explored attitudes towards leisure noise and use of hearing protection, and perceived susceptibility to leisure noise damage in young adults with hearing problems. Twelve participants aged between 18 and 35 years took part in a semi-structured interview. Data were analysed using Framework Analysis. The results showed a positive attitude to noise and a passion for loud music, along with a lack of knowledge of the consequences of noise damage; and perceived low risk of hearing problems were associated with people not using earplugs. The aesthetics, comfort, perceived effects on music quality; and attitude of others were all barriers to earplug use. Of those who had used earplugs, previous hearing-related symptoms and concern about future hearing damage were the main motivators for use. Four types of people were identified to describe the variation in attitudes and behaviours: There were those who had no change in behaviour or concern about damage; those who were concerned and used earplugs; those who were concerned and avoided loud venues; and those who were concerned about communication difficulties only. Considering the wide variability, it may be more effective to shift attention from trying to change individual attitudes and behaviours, to considering systemic changes to protect hearing, through ensuring the music industry and relevant authorities take greater responsibility. Thieme Publishing 2017-10-10 Article PeerReviewed Hunter, Abby (2017) Attitudes, risk behaviour and noise exposure among young adults with hearing problems: identifying a typology. Seminars in Hearing, 38 (4). pp. 332-347. ISSN 1098-8955 leisure noise; tinnitus hearing loss; prevention; awareness https://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0037-1606327 doi:10.1055/s-0037-1606327 doi:10.1055/s-0037-1606327
spellingShingle leisure noise; tinnitus
hearing loss; prevention; awareness
Hunter, Abby
Attitudes, risk behaviour and noise exposure among young adults with hearing problems: identifying a typology
title Attitudes, risk behaviour and noise exposure among young adults with hearing problems: identifying a typology
title_full Attitudes, risk behaviour and noise exposure among young adults with hearing problems: identifying a typology
title_fullStr Attitudes, risk behaviour and noise exposure among young adults with hearing problems: identifying a typology
title_full_unstemmed Attitudes, risk behaviour and noise exposure among young adults with hearing problems: identifying a typology
title_short Attitudes, risk behaviour and noise exposure among young adults with hearing problems: identifying a typology
title_sort attitudes, risk behaviour and noise exposure among young adults with hearing problems: identifying a typology
topic leisure noise; tinnitus
hearing loss; prevention; awareness
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/44730/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/44730/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/44730/