Gd. Chermak et al., THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AN INTERACTIVE HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR ELEMENTARY-SCHOOL-CHILDREN, Language, speech & hearing services in schools, 27(1), 1996, pp. 29-39
An educational hearing conservation program (HCP) emphasizing student
participation and supplemental in-class activities led by a teacher wa
s presented in two 1-hour sessions to two classes of fourth-grade chil
dren enrolled in regular education programs. Questionnaires assessing
their knowledge of hearing, noise-induced hearing loss, and hearing co
nservation practices were administered before and after the HCP. Signi
ficant increase in knowledge concerning noise-induced hearing loss and
hearing conservation practices were seen in both classes, with greate
r gain seen among students receiving more extensive supplemental activ
ities. Post-HCP responses revealed that the majority of the children i
ntend to use ear protection when engaged in noisy activities. Teachers
indicated they would increase coverage of hearing and hearing conserv
ation in their classrooms and use hearing protection when exposed to l
oud noise.