Effects of an online hearing conservation program for college musicians
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- David A. Wilkenfeld (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- William Karper
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to develop, implement, and evaluate an online hearing conservation program for college musicians (n = 24), focusing on short-term changes in knowledge about hearing loss, attitudes towards noise, and beliefs about hearing loss and hearing protection. In addition, this study aimed to determine college musicians’ perceptions of the course content and design to examine the feasibility of using this online platform for the delivery of healthcare information. Study participants completed pre-test and post-test surveys evaluating immediate changes in knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. An additional follow-up survey was administered one month after completion of the online hearing conservation program to assess short-term changes. The participants also completed a post-course evaluation to determine the overall strengths and weaknesses of the online hearing conservation program. Based on the data analyses, it appeared that following participation in the online hearing conservation program, college musicians demonstrated certain positive changes related to hearing loss. A series of Wilcoxon-signed rank tests used to analyze pre-test, post-test, and follow-up knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs demonstrated statistically significant improvements in knowledge about hearing loss and beliefs about hearing loss and hearing protection use. Descriptive statistics and a thematic analysis were used to determine college musicians’ perceptions of the online hearing conservation program content and design. Based on these analyses it appeared that the online hearing conservation program was well-received by college musicians. Participants widely agreed that the course increased their knowledge related to hearing loss, presented content in an organized manner, and was organized in a way that helped them learn. The results of this study suggest that the online hearing conservation program represents a dynamic, interactive, and time- and cost-effective alternative to traditional face-to-face hearing education courses for college musicians. While future research should use larger samples of musicians and focus on long-term changes in knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs, the online hearing conservation program presented in this study will provide music educators with a new and alternative way to promote hearing health, while indirectly cultivating a culture of responsibility and accountability related to hearing health in music.
Effects of an online hearing conservation program for college musicians
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Created on 8/1/2018
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Dissertation
- Language: English
- Date: 2018
- Keywords
- College students, Hearing loss, Injury prevention, Music
- Subjects
- Deafness, Noise induced $x Prevention
- Musicians $x Wounds and injuries $x Prevention
- Music students $x Wounds and injuries $x Prevention
- College students $x Wounds and injuries $x Prevention