Recreational exposure to noise in second year Maltese university student nurses

Abstract

The aim of this research was to enhance the understanding of the perception and behaviour of the local second year diploma nursing students towards the exposure of recreational loud noise. The study population comprised of student nurses within the age range of 18-27 years which were subdivided in three groups, 18-19 years (n=18/33%), 20 -21 years (n=28/51%) and the 22 – 27 years (n=9/16%). The findings revealed that none of the participants ever used hearing protection devices in either of the exposed recreational environments. Results exhibited a rate of participant exposure to noisy occupational (67% male: 20% female) and recreational (77% male: 60% female) environments in the presence of parents or guardians. Additional results included that 65% of participants were exposed to fireworks, of which 31% were exposed at distances <150 meters. Other findings includes that 84% to personal media devices of which 46% reported of being exposed for more than one hour. Other, recreational noise exposure data revealed that 42% of participants were exposed to brass bands with 30% of respondents being exposed at distances of <1 meter and 26% were exposed to brass bands whilst smoking. No relationship was statistically supported at p –value of ≤ of 0.05 between the three levels of exposure and the mean binaural PTA thresholds for the exposed predicators (loud machinery, power tools, hunting guns and artillery, personal watercraft, power tools, motorcycles, loud music, listening to music through earphone and attendance to live concerts). Similarly, mean pure tone thresholds did not show a difference with a statistical strength of ≤ of 0.05 between the different age groups. This research provides an indicative measure on the awareness and perceptions towards noise exposure and protection of the purposive sample. It is perceived that it can be constructive and used as a stepping stone to highlight the need in embarking of a nationwide research programme to justify the need for one of the most challenging and rewarding tasks within the professional objectives of audiologist. This being a national hearing conservation programme initiated at the pre-natal phase with sessions integrated in antenatal parent craft programmes, neonatal hearing screening programmes and continuous educational programmes and campaigns addressing the needs of hearing conservation for the occupation as well as the recreational noise exposure. Prevention is better and cheaper than cure!