Stages of Change in Hearing-protection Behavior, Cognition, and Hearing Status

OBJECTIVE To determine stages of hearing-protection behavioral change and their relationships with cognitions and hearing status. METHOD A cross-sectional study of 769 construction workers who completed a survey and audiometric tests. RESULTS The majority of participants (over 64%) were in the preparation stage. Participants in the action/maintenance stage demonstrated significantly greater benefits, self-efficacy, and interpersonal influence; fewer barriers; and better hearing. This is the first study that shows significantly better health outcome, hearing ability, as the stage progresses. CONCLUSION Study demonstrates preliminary validity of the stages of change with hearing-protection behavior. Future hearing-protection intervention should integrate the stages of change to increase effectiveness.