Identifying Targets for Interventions to Increase Earplug Use in Noisy Recreational Settings: A Qualitative Interview...

Area of Science:

• Audiology and Hearing Health
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health Interventions

Background:

• Hearing loss and tinnitus are risks during noisy recreational activities.
• Current earplug use is uncommon, with limited success in increasing uptake.
• Identifying barriers and enablers is crucial for effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine barriers and enablers to earplug use in recreational settings.
• To compare experiences of earplug users (ever-performers) and non-users (never-performers).
• To inform the development of interventions for increased earplug adoption and consistent use.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured telephone interviews guided by the Capabilities, Opportunities, and Motivations model of Behaviour (COM-B).
• Participants included 8 ever-performers (ages 20-45) and 12 never-performers (ages 20-50).
• Thematic analysis mapped findings onto the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF).

Main Results:

• Ever-performers reported greater social influence and positive beliefs about earplug consequences.
• Fear of music/communication impairment (emotion) and habit formation (reinforcement) were noted by users.
• Both groups identified lack of environmental prompts and memory/decision-making issues as barriers.

Conclusions:

• Social factors and perceived benefits significantly influence earplug use.
• Addressing environmental cues and cognitive processes is vital for intervention development.
• Future interventions should leverage identified variables, behavior change techniques, and appropriate delivery modes.