2020 NHCA Annual Conference

Presented By: Khalid Khan, PhD and Marjorie McCullagh, PhD
Co-Authors: Marjorie McCullagh, PhD and Jayna Kozlowski
Farm and rural youth experience noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) from a very young age. Interventions using technologies such as smartphone applications and text messaging, and other Internet-based resources have been conducted among youth in various community settings. However, evidence regarding the effectiveness of these approaches is weak due to multiple methodological shortcomings of studies. Furthermore, it is unclear whether these interventions are feasible in hard-to-reach rural and agricultural populations. To address these gaps in knowledge, we will compare the effectiveness of a novel intervention (i.e., smartphone apps plus printed NIHL prevention leaflets and a control intervention (printed NIHL prevention leaflets only) in changing hearing conservation knowledge and behavior. Students from six high schools in rural Indiana are participating is this intervention study. We will report on preliminary data of this study, in progress.