2024 Scholars' Research Symposium Abstract: Education on the Understanding of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Vulnerable Undergraduate Population.

Introduction: With the introduction of increasingly powerful audio equipment and increase of personal mobile audio devices in the 21st century, the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in young adults is expected to increase. This increase, estimated to impact 30 million adults in the next four decades, is due in part to recreational exposure. While many young adults have a general understanding of NIHL, a detailed education on various topics of NIHL could further promote adherence to the use of preventive measures. This project therefore involved gauging understanding of NIHL and providing in depth education on various topics of NIHL geared to an undergraduate population at 3 universities located in South Dakota.

Methods: The project was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the University of South Dakota. A 45-minute PowerPoint presentation was developed and presented about NIHL. The following 5-topic areas were discussed: pathophysiology of hearing loss, healthcare impacts, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines on noise exposure, adherence to OSHA guidelines in recreational spaces, and preventive measures, to include decibel meters and earplugs. A pre-presentation survey was given to score students' baseline knowledge in each of the topic areas covered, followed by a post-presentation survey to score knowledge gained. A one-tailed paired t-test was performed to evaluate the changes from pre- to post surveys. In addition to the education, decibel meter mobile applications were introduced, and 120 high-fidelity earplugs were donated at the sites of presentation.

Results: PowerPoint presentations and pre- post-surveys were given during the recital hour, a required course, to 120 students enrolled in music degree programs at 3 universities in South Dakota. Comparison of all the pre- to post-survey responder scores showed a statistically significant change in the students' confidence in their knowledge for all 5-topic areas discussed. There was also statistically significant change in knowledge confidence in all 5-topic areas between responder groups who were already using preventive measures compared to those who were not using preventive measures at the time of testing. For example, the knowledge confidence to wear preventive measures notably increased nearly threefold, 1.68 to 4.26 amongst those who were not using preventive measures.

Conclusions: This project demonstrated that young adults with a current knowledge of NIHL still gained additional insight through this presentation. While there was a significant change in knowledge confidence in each category in the total responders, the project also demonstrated that amongst current users of preventive measures, there was statistically significant change in knowledge confidence as well. Students also indicated, through the surveys, that they are more likely to use preventive measures in loud recreational spaces after this educational experience. Many, but not all students, took advantage of the high-fidelity earplug donations.