Program Sustainability: Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Prevention in American Indian Communities.

Introduction: An important goal of any health promotion effort is to have it maintained in delivery and effectiveness over time. The purpose of this study was to establish a community-based noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus prevention program in three different types of American Indian communities and evaluate them for evidence of long-term sustainability.

Methods: The target population was fourth- and fifth-grade students from three different models of American Indian communities.

Randomized trial of four noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus prevention interventions for children.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of four NIHL prevention interventions at improving knowledge, attitudes, and intended behaviors regarding sound exposure and appropriate use of hearing protective strategies in children.

Design: A randomized trial of the four interventions with a non-intervention comparison group. Questionnaires were completed prior to, immediately after, and three months after each intervention.