The Effectiveness of an Interactive Hearing Conservation Program for Elementary School Children

TLDR

The study delivered a teacher‑led, two‑session, 1‑hour hearing conservation program with supplemental in‑class activities to fourth‑grade students, assessing knowledge via pre‑ and post‑intervention questionnaires. Students showed significant knowledge gains on noise‑induced hearing loss and conservation practices, especially with more supplemental activities, and most planned to use ear protection while teachers reported intentions to expand classroom coverage and adopt protective measures.

Abstract

An educational hearing conservation program (HCP) emphasizing student participation and supplemental in-class activities led by a teacher was presented in two 1-hour sessions to two classes of fourth-grade children enrolled in regular education programs. Questionnaires assessing their knowledge of hearing, noise-induced hearing loss, and hearing conservation practices were administered before and after the HCP. Significant increases in knowledge concerning noise-induced hearing loss and hearing conservation practices were seen in both classes, with greater gain seen among students receiving more extensive supplemental activities. Post-HCP responses revealed that the majority of the children intend to use ear protection when engaged in noisy activities. Teachers indicated they would increase coverage of hearing and hearing conservation in their classrooms and use hearing protection when exposed to loud noise.