A Preliminary Study of a Spanish Graphic Novella Targeting Hearing Loss Prevention

Authors

• Mark Guiberson, University of WyomingFollow
• Emily Wakefield, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

9-2017

Citation

Published in American Journal of Audiology 26 (September 2017), pp 259–267. doi 10.1044/2017_AJA-16-0069

Comments

Copyright © 2017 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Used by permission.

Abstract

Purpose: This preliminary study developed a digital graphic novella targeting hearing protection beliefs of Spanish-speaking agricultural workers. Researchers used pretest–posttest interview surveys to establish if the novella had an immediate influence on the participants’ beliefs about noise-induced hearing loss and usage of hearing protection devices.

Method: Researchers developed a digital graphic novella directed to increase knowledge about noise-induced hearing loss and increase the proper use of hearing protection devices. The novella was tailored to meet the specific linguistic and literacy needs of Spanish-speaking agricultural workers. Thirty-one Spanish-speaking farmworkers of Mexican nationality participated. This study included an interview survey with specific questions on noise-induced hearing loss, myths, and hearing protection device usage. A pretest–posttest design was applied to measure the graphic novella’s immediate influence on workers.

Results: The posttest scores on Hearing Protection Beliefs statements were significantly better than pretest scores, with a large effect size observed.

Conclusion: Digital media may be an effective way to overcome language and literacy barriers with Spanish-speaking workers when providing health education and prevention efforts.