Hearing Protection Devices: Use at Work Predicts use at Play

Abstract

Use of hearing protection devices (HPDs) at work is widespread and well researched, but less is known about HPD usage in high-noise leisure activities. This study investigated 8,144 Downloaded by [National Acoustic Labs], [Elizabeth Francis Beach] at 18:07 13 September 2015 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 2 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT Australians‟ HPD usage in leisure settings. An online survey asked questions about HPD usage at work and leisure, and examined whether age, gender, HPD usage at work, and tinnitus predicted HPD usage in leisure activities. Leisure-based HPD usage was most common during high-risk „work-related‟ activities. Use of HPDs at work was the most significant predictor of leisure-based use, with workplace users up to 5 times more likely to use HPDs at leisure. Males were significantly more likely than females to use HPDs in 10/20 leisure activities, and those with tinnitus were more likely than those without to use HPDs in 8/20 activities. Older participants were more likely to use HPDs at nightclubs and concerts, but younger participants were more likely to use HPDs playing egames and musical instruments.