| This cross sectional study examined relationships between the health belief model (HBM) variables of perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits and barriers, hearing acuity, and self reports of use of hearing protection by workers in noisy environments. A convenience sample of 192 out of 216 potential subjects was drawn from noise exposed power generation plant workers during annual audiometric testing. Hearing acuity was measured by audiometry, HBM variables and self reports of hearing protection use were measured on the Worker Beliefs about Noise and Hearing Loss Questionnaire. Self reported use was measured by a horizontal Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and by Peruse, a simple linear scale marked from 100% to 0%, graded in increments of 10%.;Internal consistency scores of HBM subscales (Cronbach Alpha) were as follows: susceptibility.52; seriousness.30; benefits,.63; and, barriers.62. Paired t test comparisons between original and 3 week retest scores on 9.5% of the sample revealed no significant differences (p =;Descriptive findings include: (1) 12% of subjects reported always using hearing protection and 7% never using it when they should; (2) subjects reported high levels of perceived susceptibility, severity, and benefits and low levels of barriers; (3) two thirds of subjects had hearing acuity impairment at a threshold of 25 dB or better in at least one frequency tested.;Stepwise multiple regression analysis, with a PIN value of p =... |
