RP207 - Effects of a Smartphone App and Video-Based Education on Teen Listening Behaviors

Abstract:
A calibrated, novel smartphone application was paired with video-based hearing health information in a cohort of teens that used their phones for media listening. Real-time and cumulative noise exposure dose

Summary:
Objective
To assess knowledge retention after video-based hearing health education and measure headphone listening behavior change using a novel smartphone application as a prospective study.

Rationale
Hearing health education knowledge retention could support inclusion of this content in current health and wellness curriculum. Teens rarely get real-time feedback about listening levels. This study allowed for app-based feedback calibrated to their listening system and proceeded by short video-based hearing health information.

Methods
Teenaged students participated in video-based hearing health education and hearing screening sessions. Hearing health knowledge was assessed in students and parents after 6 weeks. A novel smartphone application was created to measure daily noise exposure based on volume settings with headphone use and to display the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) noise doses with alerts for cumulative daily doses nearing the maximum.

Results
Seventy-six teenage students and parents participated. Eighty-three percent of participants identified as a racial or ethnic minority and 66% were of low-income socioeconomic status. Hearing health knowledge was retained in students 6 weeks after education and parents’ knowledge improved from baseline. The smartphone app was installed on 12 student phones, and 25% of days monitored exhibited noise doses that exceeded the NIOSH maximum. App use for at least 10 days by nine students showed a significant reduction in average daily noise dose and time spent at the highest volume settings during the second-half of app use.

Conclusions
Video-based hearing health education with knowledge question reinforcement was associated with knowledge retention in students and improved parental attitudes and knowledge about hearing conservation. A smartphone app with a real-time display of headphone cumulative noise exposure dose identified at-risk students. The integration of hearing health education, hearing screening, and digital health tools has promised to promote positive behavior changes for long-term hearing conservation.