Download PDF
Semin Hear 2018; 39(02): 210-220
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1641744
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Effects of Including Information about Hidden Hearing Loss in an Adopt-A-Band Program on College Band Members' Attitudes toward Healthy Hearing Behaviors

Katie L. Seever
1   Hearing Evaluation, Rehabilitation, and Outcomes Laboratory, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Allied Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
,
Carole E. Johnson
1   Hearing Evaluation, Rehabilitation, and Outcomes Laboratory, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Allied Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
,
Jonathan Baldwin
2   Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, College of Allied Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
,
Jeffrey L. Danhauer
3   Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California
,
Brian Wolfe
4   Catlett School of Music, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
,
Stevana Jeannont
1   Hearing Evaluation, Rehabilitation, and Outcomes Laboratory, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Allied Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
15 June 2018 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Young musicians may be at risk for developing cochlear synaptopathy (CS), or hidden hearing loss (HHL), that could lead to permanent music-induced hearing loss (MIHL). Patients with CS often complain of tinnitus and/or difficulty understanding speech in noisy situations, even though traditional audiometric testing indicates normal hearing. The aim of this article was to determine the effects of including information about HHL on an Adopt-A-Band program involving college band members' concern about and self-efficacy toward the prevention of MIHL. We conducted a single-blinded, randomized clinical trial. Forty-eight band members participated in this study. Band members were randomly assigned to two Adopt-A-Band presentations, one with and one without information on HHL. Including information about HHL had no effect on these band members' concerns about and self-efficacy toward the prevention of MIHL. However, the Adopt-A-Band program resulted in significantly increased concern for MIHL by 39.5% (p < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 25–54.2), self-efficacy in its prevention by 79.1% (p < 0.0001, 95% CI: 66.9–91.2), and plans to use musicians' earplugs while playing by 67.4% (p < 0.0001, 95% CI: 53.4–81.45). Although inclusion of information about HHL did not have a significant effect, the Adopt-A-Band program, in general, significantly increased the immediate intent of these students to practice healthy hearing behaviors. Future research is needed to determine the long-term effects of using the Adopt-A-Band program with university marching bands' use of healthy hearing behaviors.

Keywords

cochlear synaptopathy - hearing conservation - hidden hearing loss - music-induced hearing loss