Effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing in Increasing Use of Hearing Protection Devices Among Agricultural Producers.

BACKGROUND: Agricultural producers are frequently exposed to noise that is hazardous to their hearing and cardiovascular health, and have among the highest rates of noise-induced hearing loss of all occupations. However, despite information-sharing approaches, few producers wear sufficient hearing protection. There is a need to develop effective methods of protecting producers from their noise exposure. METHODS: We provided a series of 2 to 3 short (30-minute) telephone-based motivational interviewing (MI) sessions to noise-exposed agricultural producers. We assessed intervention effectiveness through changes in measuring hearing protector use pre- and post-intervention using a one-group pre/posttest design. RESULTS: The sample (N = 29) predominantly consisted of crop producers from Michigan. The mean percentage of time hearing protection was used increased from 44.9% to 51.8% after the intervention, approximately a 7% increase (p =.105). Regression analysis suggested the relationship between intervention dose and use of hearing protection was not correlative. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: There was a marginal increase in the use of hearing protection after the intervention, although setting-specific increases in use were uneven. Intervention dose did not correlate with a change in hearing protection use. Further research is warranted to determine the effectiveness of MI, how it compares to information sharing, and to identify intervention dose parameters that promote efficiency.

Motivational Interviewing to Encourage Agricultural Producers' Use of Hearing Protection Devices: A Mixed-Method Feasibility Study.

BACKGROUND: Workers in production agriculture are frequently exposed to high noise levels and face unique barriers to implementing hearing protection, leading to occupational hearing loss. Motivational interviewing is a promising approach to assist workers in preserving their hearing. METHODS: This pilot study used a mixed-method approach to evaluate the feasibility of an innovative motivational interviewing intervention for agricultural producers from February to May 2021. Qualitative data included coaches' and participants' comments and were coded using a structural coding approach. Quantitative data included Likert-type-style responses given by participants in a post-intervention survey. Data types were then integrated. RESULTS: Sixteen participants were recruited during the 4-month pilot. Participants' satisfaction scores averaged above six on a 7-point scale for all satisfaction questions. Implementation factors included the intervention's flexibility, services provided by the coaches beyond motivational interviewing, and difficulties with recruitment. CONCLUSIONS/APPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE: This motivational interviewing intervention was highly acceptable to participants, but factors affecting implementation may challenge scalability.