ABSTRACT

It is estimated that 1.1 billion young people worldwide are at risk of hearing loss due to high levels of noise exposure. Hearing loss can contribute to low self-esteem, poor employment prospects and social problems. The aim of this research was to explore the attitudes and beliefs towards noise, hearing loss and hearing protection among Pasifika university students in New Zealand. 96 Pasifika students completed the Youth Attitude to Noise Scale (YANS) and Beliefs About Hearing Protection and Hearing Loss (BAHPHL) questionnaire electronically using a Qualtrics survey. The findings show that the study sample had higher mean scores in the BAHPHL scales related to susceptibility to hearing loss, severity of hearing loss, and benefits of preventive action compared to findings of similar international research. This implies that Pasifika participants had more positive beliefs than their international peers on some factors. Despite their greater awareness, the Pasifika sample had similarly poor attitudes related to minimising loud sounds in the daily environment, perceived barriers towards prevention, behavioural intention and social norms towards hearing conservation. This study provides a good foundation to develop a culturally appropriate hearing conservation intervention aimed at improving hearing-health outcomes among young Pasifika people.

摘要

据估计，全球有 11 亿年轻人因高水平的噪音暴露而面临听力损失的风险。听力损失会导致自尊心低下、就业前景不佳和社会问题。本研究的目的是探讨新西兰太平洋岛民大学生对噪音、听力损失和听力保护的态度和信念。96 名太平洋岛民学生使用 Qualtrics 调查以电子方式完成了青少年噪声态度量表 (YANS) 和听力保护和听力损失信念 (BAHPHL) 问卷。研究结果表明，与类似的国际研究结果相比，研究样本在与听力损失易感性、听力损失严重程度和预防措施的益处相关的 BAHPHL 量表中的平均分数更高。这意味着太平洋岛民参与者在某些因素上比他们的国际同龄人有更积极的信念。尽管他们的意识更强，但太平洋岛民样本在将日常环境中的嘈杂声降至最低、感知到的预防障碍、行为意图和对听力保护的社会规范方面也有类似的不良态度。本研究为开发适合文化的听力保护干预措施提供了良好的基础，旨在改善太平洋岛民年轻人的听力健康结果。听力保护的行为意图和社会规范。本研究为开发适合文化的听力保护干预措施提供了良好的基础，旨在改善太平洋岛民年轻人的听力健康结果。听力保护的行为意图和社会规范。本研究为开发适合文化的听力保护干预措施提供了良好的基础，旨在改善太平洋岛民年轻人的听力健康结果。